Kabuki Costumes: Karaori and Atsuita
-
Karaori (Noh costume), Floral arabesque and interlocking lozenge design on yellowish-green ground, Edo period, 17th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 9
April 26, 2016 (Tue) - June 19, 2016 (Sun)In the process of the warrior-class families adopting Noh, the official performing art of the shogunate government, Noh robes gained extravagance and became more stylized. Eventually the styles were established as tradition, and karaori and atsuita came to be distinguished by their unique design features. For example, autumn grasses and other Japanese-style motifs were often used for karaori women’s robes, whereas atsuita, for men, often displayed powerful Chinese-style designs, such as dragons and cloud plaques. This exhibit aims to compare the two types as an introduction to the meanings of motifs in Noh costumes.
Current exhibit includes:
Karaori (Noh costume), Floral arabesque and interlocking lozenge design on yellowish-green ground, Edo period, 17th century
Karaori (Noh costume), Ramie leaf, wisteria, and poem card design on alternating bands of red and brown ground, Formerly owned by the Uesugi clan, Edo period, 18th century
Atsuita (Noh costume), Geometric swastika pattern and cloud-shaped gong design on red ground, Formerly owned by the Ikeda clan, Edo period, 18th century (Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)