胴箔地南天冊子模様縫箔|Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina Branches

Unknown

second half of the 18th century · Silk embroidery and metallic leaf on silk satin · Asian Art

On this robe, scattered books decorated with seasonal motifs and poetic patterns evoke the aristocratic world of the Heian period (794–1185) and literary masterpieces such as The Tale of Genji. At the same time, they reflect the rise in publishing and literacy during the Edo period. Among the patterns on the books are waves with seashells (upper back, left) and flat bamboo baskets with cherry blossoms (lower back, left). The naturalistic depiction of the auspicious nandina plant, with its colorful red and pink berries, appears from hem to shoulder. Such tree patterns are commonly found on garments from the late eighteenth century, but are unusual for a Noh robe. With its solid gold ground, this robe is especially splendid, and it was likely worn by actors playing upper-class women.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half of the 18th century

Medium

Silk embroidery and metallic leaf on silk satin

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Nomura, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. S. Morris Nomura, 1989