Japan is known for its unique gardening style, diverse plants, food, and beautifully woven tapestries. However, most do not know the story of their tragedy. Japanese Noh theater is one of the most precise and prestigious art forms. This has been the case since the 14th century, when Zeami created the Noh theater. Zeami's most famous plays, such as Kinuta, are still performed today. Japanese drama has not changed much since the 14th century as it has had a lasting effect on the culture. Noh theater had a major influence on 14th-century Japan and influenced modern theater. 14th century Japan was a time of peace for many people. Buddhism had just become an important part of Japanese culture thanks to Shogun Yoshimitsu. He became ruler in 1367 at the age of ten (Waley 21). Yoshimitsu needed to distinguish himself from his ancestors and he did so by devoting himself to Buddhism, particularly the Zen sect (21). “Zen Buddhism and the life and teaching of Shinran are commonly identified as typical Japanese Buddhism.” (Takeda 27) However, Buddhism in Japan is different and unique from Buddhism in other countries because it is considered the “burial religion” (27). This is mainly influenced by the ancient Japanese beliefs of onryo. The Onryo are reluctant and vengeful spirits (27). These spirits appear when not properly buried or remembered and cause great misfortune (27). The belief is that onryo can only be calmed by prayer (27). However, according to traditional belief, it takes thirty-three or fifty years for the spirit to find rest (27). The Japanese believed that when spirits found peace, they became either hotoke, meaning "buddha", or sorei, "ancestor va... middle of paper ... guest is welcomed to Butsu (book 97). She finds eternal peace. Noh theater emerged at the same time that Buddhism was beginning to have an influence on Japanese culture. They each affected the other. Noh theater took the beliefs and ideas of Buddhism and blended them with ancient Japanese beliefs to create a beautiful form of theater. Buddhism took these ancient Japanese beliefs and rituals and made them into a unique religion. Zeami took it all and wrote some of Japan's most influential plays. In fact, Zeami's Noh plays are ranked among the greatest classics of Noh theater and Japanese literature (Tsuchiya 104). Noh drama has had a major influence on Japanese culture. A quarter of the eight hundred plays ever written and performed are still performed today (Magill 2423). This shows how important Noh theater was not only in the 14th century, but also today..