There is this saying in Sado, “maitaosu” (literally: to dance to the fullest). This expression describes a wealthy head of the household who gets so devoted to Noh that he spends all of his fortune on it, for instance, by inviting top-level performers from the mainstream schools of Noh. This signifies how widely spread Noh theatre was in Sado. Sado, where Zeami (who brought Noh performance to perfection) was exiled, is an island of Noh theatre, which developed greatly in the Edo Period (1603-1867). Taking deep root in local communities, Noh culture has been cherished over generations.