Kabuki Costume (Omigoromo) with Chrysanthemums and Stream, Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue, Edo period, 19th century (Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 9
October 3, 2023 (Tue) - December 3, 2023 (Sun)
The current exhibition celebrates the season for “face showing” (kaomise) kyōgen in the kabuki theater, in w hich new actors are introduced. This event happens in the eleventh month on the lunar calendar. Though the kabuki actors were usually all male, a large part of the kabuki costumes in the Museum collection were used by a female kabuki actress, Bandō Mitsue. She had access to the women’s chambers ōoku in shogun’s castle to play kyōgen, a comedic theater. The gorgeous de coration of thick and dynamic embroidery, large design motifs, and rich colors on these costumes reflect the extraordinary and flamboyant char acteristics of kabuki plays.
Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
Highlight | Kabuki Costume ("Haori") with Dragon and Waves | Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō, I-2064 | |||
Highlight | Kabuki Costume ("Kitsuke") with Dragon and Waves | Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō, I-2065 | |||
Highlight | Kabuki Costume ("Omigoromo") with Chrysanthemums and Stream | Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō, I-2061 | |||
Highlight | Kabuki Costume ("Haori") with an Arrow and a Target | Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō, I-2066 | |||
Highlight | Kabuki Costume ("Kitsuke") with Triple Wild-Ginger Crests | Formerly used by Bandō Mitsue | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Ms. Takagi Kiyō, I-2067 |