"Tenkaichi" refers to a Noh mask artist who was awarded the title of "Tenkaichi" from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period, and Nobeoka City has a collection of 30 Noh masks made by "Tenkaichi."
The "Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigi Noh" uses this "Tenkaichi" Noh mask and is performed by the finest performers in the Noh world, making it one of Japan's most representative takigi Noh performances.
"Takigi Noh" is now generally used to refer to Noh performed at night around a bonfire, but originally it referred to a Shinto ritual, Sarugaku (Noh), which was performed in February at Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara during the Heian period as part of an event called "Shunie."
The origin of "Takigi Noh" as an event is said to be the "Kyoto Takigi Noh" held at Heian Shrine in Kyoto in 25.
Nobeoka and Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima are the only two places where Noh masks are used, and while Itsukushima Shrine's is held as a "festival," Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigi Noh is the only event held as a "regional city event."
Some feudal lords in the Edo period collected many Noh masks, costumes, and other Noh paraphernalia, but with the start of the Meiji period, many of these items were given up for economic reasons.
It is said that it is rare nationwide to currently have such a comprehensive collection.
Nohgaku was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. In addition, the previous Noh performer, Kuroemon Katayama, who performed in Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigi Noh, was designated a Living National Treasure in the same year.