In the Japanese tradition of Noh, a combination of drama, music and dance that draws on symbolism and folklore – masks are vital. Performers are traditionally male, so masks help identify the gender, social status and psychological state of the characters on stage.

The latest exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Theatre of Dreams, Theatre of Play, celebrates the 600-year-old art-form and features 165 objects, on loan from the National Noh Theatre in Japan, ranging from theatrical masks and costumes to paintings and musical instruments used in Noh performances.

Khan Trinh, curator of Japanese Art at AGNSW with the installation. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

According to Dr Khanh Trinh, the AGNSW's curator of Japanese art, this is the first comprehensive exhibition of Noh objects in Australia.

"The Japanese government is very careful to whom they lend their valuable national treasures, so we feel very lucky," Dr Trinh says.