Noh History of Noh The roots of noh go back around 1,300 years, when a performing art called sangaku was brought over from China. It merged with Japanese comic theater and became a new form of entertainment called sarugaku about a thousand years ago.Sarugaku featured short dances and skits, consisting of impersonations and plays on words. An old stage at Nyuu Shrine in Nara. (©Ken Yoshikoshi) ..