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Noh Costume (Karaori) with Cherry Blossoms and Fretwork Noh Costume (Karaori) with Cherry Blossoms and Fretwork

first half of the 18th century

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States

An intense chromatic effect is achieved in this robe, with its cherry blossoms in a range of colors scattered over bands of red and green. Fallen within moments after their full flowering, the blossoms poignantly evoke the transience of human life, a central theme in Noh drama. The inclusion of red places this costume in the category of robes "with color" (iroiri), making it appropriate for the role of a young woman.

Among the formal and technical characteristics that point to an eighteenth-century date for the robe are the absence of metallic threads, the allover patterning, and the length and softness of the textile's floating silk pattern wefts.

An intense chromatic effect is achieved in this robe, with its cherry blossoms in a range of colors scattered over bands of red and green. Fallen within moments after their full flowering, the blossoms poignantly evoke the transience of human life, a central theme in Noh drama. The inclusion of red places this costume in the category of robes "with color" (iroiri), making it appropriate for the role of a young woman.

Among the formal and technical characteristics that point to an eighteenth-century date for the robe are the absence of metallic threads, the allover patterning, and the length and softness of the textile's floating silk pattern wefts.

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  • Title: Noh Costume (Karaori) with Cherry Blossoms and Fretwork Noh Costume (Karaori) with Cherry Blossoms and Fretwork
  • Date Created: first half of the 18th century, first half of the 18th century
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 65 1/2 x 64 1/2 in. (166.4 x 163.8 cm), Overall: 65 1/2 x 64 1/2 in. (166.4 x 163.8 cm)
  • Type: Noh costume (karaori), Noh costume (karaori)
  • External Link: http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45190, http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45192
  • Medium: Brocaded silk twill, Brocaded silk twill
  • Repository: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868), Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Culture: Japan, Japan
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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