Masks and Costumes in the Noh Play Water Iris (Kakitsubata)
-
Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Wickerwork and Irises, Edo period, 19th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 9
May 10, 2022 (Tue) - July 3, 2022 (Sun)The noh play Water Iris is inspired by a celebrated work of court literature, The Tales of Ise. When a traveling monk arrives at the Yatsuhashi bridge, the spirit of the water irises that bloom around the bridge appears before him. She tells the monk how Ariwara no Narihira, the protagonist of The Tales of Ise, recited a poem at this scenic location.
The monk wears a modest mizugoromo robe and a sumibōshi hat, while the spirit wears a ko’omote mask, which makes her appear as a young woman. One of the highlights of this play is when the spirit changes from an ornate costume called a karaori to one for dancing, called a chōken.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Noh Costume ("Karaori") with Irises in Flowing Water | Edo period, 18th century | I-4273 | ||||
| Highlight | Noh Costume ("Nuihaku") with Wickerwork and Irises | Edo period, 19th century | I-3468 |