Kariginu (Noh costume), Cloud and dragon roundel design on dark blue ground, Edo period, 18th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 9
February 28, 2017 (Tue) - April 16, 2017 (Sun)
The Noh play Kasuga Ryujin is about the Japanese monk Myoe, who, in his devotion to the Buddha Shakyamuni, plans to visit Buddhist sites in China and India. This story illustrates the unique beliefs of Japanese Buddhism, and shows how Kasuga Myojin, a Shinto god who also came to be regarded as a manifestation of a Buddhist deity, enlightened Myoe on these beliefs. The play Kasuga Ryujin has deep connections with Kasuga Taisha shrine as it was purportedly written by Zenchiku, who revived the Konparu troupe of Noh actors and served the shrine. Visitors are invited to compare the costumes and masks on display with the depiction of this play in the Illustrated Handscroll of Noh and Kyogen Plays, an artwork from the Edo period (1603–1868).
Current exhibit includes:
Kariginu (Noh costume), Cloud and dragon roundel design on dark blue ground, Edo period, 18th century
Hangire (Noh costume), Cloud and dragon design in ezo brocade on red ground, Passed down by the Ikeda clan, Edo period, 19th century (Lent by the OKURA MUSEUM OF ART, Tokyo)