Saigyô zakura. Nögaku Zue

Noh theater originated in rituals related to the rice harvest at Buddhist temples. During the performance, the characters move slowly and gracefully across a nearly empty stage. Four musicians sit at the back of the stage, accompanying a kind of chorus that solemnly chants the story as the act unfolds. The main character often wears a mask representing a specific figure, such as a young man or a ghost. The mask's expression indicates the character's mood.

Tsukioka Kōgyō was the most important ukiyo-e artist to depict Noh theater. He created five series of woodblock prints during his lifetime. The "Nōgaku Zue" series, produced between 1897 and 1902, comprises 261 prints.