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Kanze school
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Quick Facts
Japanese:
Kanze-ryū
Key People:
Kan’ami
Related Topics:
Noh theatre
See all related content
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Kanze school

nō theater
Also known as: Kanze-ryū
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

Kanze school, school of nō theatre (q.v.) known for its emphasis on beauty and elegance. The school was founded in the 14th century by Kan’ami (q.v.), who founded the Yūzaki-za (Yūzaki troupe), the precursor of the Kanze school. The second master, Zeami Motokiyo, completed the basic form of the art under the protection of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Since the Muromachi period (1338–1573) the Kanze school has been the largest nō group in Japan—registering several hundred nō musicians and more than half the dues-paying nō enthusiasts of Japan.