Thread by @incunabula

Noh is the oldest continuous theatre tradition on earth. This scroll documents the Kanjin Noh performances of 1816 in Edo (Tokyo), and shows the size and complexity of the staging, and how the producers developed multiple revenue streams, just like at a modern rock concert. 1/7

Noh performances were originally held to raise money for worthy causes, such as construction or repair of temples and shrines but by the Edo period, the performances had turned into commercial ventures, bringing profits chiefly to the producers and performers. 2/7

In the Edo period, there were eight such large-scale Noh performances: 1607, 1624, 1656, 1687, 1750, 1816, 1831, and 1848. The centerpiece of the scroll is the woodcut below, a rare survival, which shows the layout of the grounds and the many buildings of the theatre complex. 3/7

All the buildings are captioned, so we can see the drum tower (#26) the
traditional small stage (#12) the long hashigakari (#31) or 'bridgeway' for entrances and exits and additional scenes; the kagami-no-ma (#28) or 'mirror room' where the actors prepare themselves.... 4/7

.... the many backstage buildings for the actors (#16, 19 & 20), props (#21), and theater workers (#17); the floor layout of the many sections of audience seating - prestigious and elaborately decorated boxes for the shogun (#13), daimyo, special guests.... 5/7

.... and lesser samurai officials in the two-tiered buildings (#10, 11 & 24); tatami mat areas (#6, 7, 8 & 9) for merchants and general public; the considerable walls that would prevent the various classes of the audience from mingling, and block the view of non-paying eyes.. 6/7

... the buildings for police (#2 & 14) and security (#3 & 15); concession stands serving extremely expensive sake (#22 right), bento (#22 left), and sweets & confectionary (#5 right) - all these were a major source of revenue. 7/7