紅茶浅葱段観世水扇花熨斗夕顔模様唐織|Noh Costume (Karaori) with Pattern of Fans Floating on Water

Unknown

18th century · Twill-weave silk brocaded with silk and metallic thread · Asian Art

The layering of patterns and techniques is particularly complex in this Noh costume. The water pattern woven in gold, known as Kanze mizu ("Kanze water") because of its association with the Kanze school of Noh performers, flows gently over background blocks of red, brown, and light blue. On the water float various fans-open, closed, and half-open-that overlap intriguingly and, in their turn, are covered with flowers. Yōgao (literally, "evening faces") flowers partially cover the half-open fans, and the fully open fans are nearly concealed by auspiciously wrapped peonies and bush clover (hagi). The fan pattern repeats along the length of the costume but does not seem at all repetitive thanks to the skillful use of color in the textile.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Twill-weave silk brocaded with silk and metallic thread

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891