Text in Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku

In Noh and Bunraku, the emphasis is on text. These styles of theater require a precise reiteration of the original. The movements and choreography is also recorded and described in detail to ensure that every performance is roughly the same. For Noh and Bunraku, the hana is based on the text.

In Kabuki, the performances are less rigid and the hana is based not only on text but in the technical devices used by the director. There is more room for improvisation. Kabuki is in general, more modern than Noh and Bunraku and often incorporated technology to awe the viewers.