Noh is the classical theatre of Japan which was codified in the 14th century by the father and son actors Kan'ami and Zeami under the patronage of the Shogun (supreme military leader) Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Under Yoshimitsu the Zen principles of restraint, understatement, economy of movement and frugality of expression became incorporated into the performance. By the early seventeenth century Noh had become an even more austere and formalised drama reserved almost exclusively for the military elite.

The Noh mask of Asakura-Jo depicts an old man; the broad bone structure, direct glance, slightly smiling mouth disclosing two rows of teeth together with the real hair used on the moustache, beard and topknot all lend the mask a rustic and healthy look, contrasting with the elegant dignity to be found on other types of ‘Old Men’ masks – which are often used to represent deities. The mask is used for roles such as old fishermen or farmers in the first act of warrior plays such as Yashima (Yashima Bay) and Tadanori (The Warrior Tadanori). According to one account, the name for the mask derives from the fact that the original of this mask was presented to the warlord Asakura. Another account of the origin of the name is a pun on the characters used to write the name making him the 'Old Man of the Brightening Dawn.'