Nōgakuden (Noh Stage)

This noh stage at a Shinto shrine in Morioka was built in 1853 by the Date samurai clan of Sendai, constructed entirely from Japanese cypress. Emperor Meiji watched performances here in 1876. The pine tree painted on the back wall follows a universal noh convention: pine symbolizes longevity, and deities are believed to descend into the painting during performances. Noh has been performed at Shinto shrines since the fourteenth century as entertainment for the gods, often following prayer services. The current pine was painted in 1947 by Matsuno Sofu, a painter known for his depictions of noh performers.