Dating back almost 1,000 years, Noh is a style of musical drama with plots ranging from Japanese legends to modern-day events.
Dating back almost 1,000 years, Noh is a style of musical drama with plots ranging from Japanese legends to modern-day events.
Toshiro Morita
Eighty-year-old Toshiro Morita has been photographing various forms of classical theater since 1964.
Eighty-year-old Toshiro Morita has been photographing various forms of classical theater since 1964.
Toshiro Morita
His photos have captured different types of theatrical mask, including Yakan, pictured, a demon mask with two short horns and wild hair.
His photos have captured different types of theatrical mask, including Yakan, pictured, a demon mask with two short horns and wild hair.
Toshiro Morita
Masks carved from blocks of cypress are a key part of the Noh tradition, representing figures like demons and monks.
Masks carved from blocks of cypress are a key part of the Noh tradition, representing figures like demons and monks.
Toshiro Morita
Actors are able to portray their characters' feelings by changing the angle and orientation of their heads.
Actors are able to portray their characters' feelings by changing the angle and orientation of their heads.
Toshiro Morita
This is a type of mask that represents a mythical lion, messenger of the Bodhisattva Manjusri.
This is a type of mask that represents a mythical lion, messenger of the Bodhisattva Manjusri.
Toshiro Morita
A third-generation photographer, Morita grew up watching various types of theater, and was inspired by his father and grandfather's images of Japanese stage arts.
A third-generation photographer, Morita grew up watching various types of theater, and was inspired by his father and grandfather's images of Japanese stage arts.
Toshiro Morita
After experimenting with surrealist oil paintings, he decided to continue the family tradition after graduating from art university.
After experimenting with surrealist oil paintings, he decided to continue the family tradition after graduating from art university.
Toshiro Morita
Using only natural light, Morita photographs masks in front of a simple black background.
Using only natural light, Morita photographs masks in front of a simple black background.
Toshiro Morita
Given their lack of expression, the slightest change in perspective and lighting can bring out a multitude of new emotions.
Given their lack of expression, the slightest change in perspective and lighting can bring out a multitude of new emotions.
Toshiro Morita
"Humans try to hide their emotions," Morita said. "But masks don't tell you anything (so) I can depict what I want."
"Humans try to hide their emotions," Morita said. "But masks don't tell you anything (so) I can depict what I want."
Toshiro Morita
"A Noh mask is the face of an actor and can never be parted (from it)," Morita said. "Actors puts them on inside the dressing room and the performance starts from there. Most people only see the performance on stage, but actors are already immersed in their roles from when they first face the mirror."
"A Noh mask is the face of an actor and can never be parted (from it)," Morita said. "Actors puts them on inside the dressing room and the performance starts from there. Most people only see the performance on stage, but actors are already immersed in their roles from when they first face the mirror."
Toshiro Morita