No costume (choken)

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 18th-19th century
Medium
Gauze-weave silk with gold leaf on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 118.2 x 217 cm (46 9/16 x 85 7/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase -- funds provided by the Friends of Asian Arts and Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1995.97
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Costume and Textile
Type

No costume

Keywords
cherry blossom, Edo period (1615 - 1868), gauze, Japan, Noh, phoenix, WWII-era provenance
Provenance

To 1995
Takashi Yanagi, Kyoto, to 1995

From 1995
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchased from Takashi Yanagi in 1995

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Takashi Yanagi

Label

Actors of the Japanese dance drama, No, wear masks and exquisite costumes to perform on a stage built of unvarnished cypress and decorated only with a painting of a pine tree. Gold is extensively used in No costumes, where it reflects light and highlights the actor's slow, stylized movements. The quality of textiles for No costumes reflects their origin as gifts to actors of personal garments worn by warrior patrons. This jacket would have been worn over a robe of contrasting design, usually for female roles, but also for the roles of courtiers or warriors.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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