Not until year 2004, women noh performers were banned from joining the Nohgaku Performers’ Association which was in effect forbidding women from playing Noh.   These days, women play a major role in nohgaku development.

The construct of Noh stage is rather simple in comparison with other performing arts such as Kabuki.  There is no curtain between the playing area and the audience.  The only curtain is at the entrance of the bridgeway (hashigakari) which is supported by bamboo poles and is raised by hands.

Noh was originally played in open fields.  In order to preserve this idea and trandition, indoor Noh stage is designed with complete outdoor details with roof, bridge with handrail in order to retain the outdoor atmosphere.

The playing area measured about 6m x 6m square (四方) which is about the size of standard boxing ring ( 4.9m ~ 6.1m).   Unlike the construct of minka which often make use of building materials in their natural forms and shapes as it is more relatd to folk arts 民芸.  the architectural design of Noh stage or Noh complex is resembled to Shoin style 書院 of which the design of roof structure with bracket complex consisting of Kumimono 組物 & Tokyõ 斗栱 can be seen in traditional temples.  Also use of chamfered columns 面取り柱 is also a typical design of Shoin.