Foreign Textiles in Noh Costumes

Noh Costume ("Happi") with Octagon-and-Square Pattern
China, Passed down by the Konparu school, Nara, Edo period, 18th century

Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 9
August 26, 2025 (Tue) - October 13, 2025 (Mon)

Noh theater was established in its classical form by performers named Kan’ami (1333–1384) and Zeami (possibly 1363–possibly 1443) under the patronage of the Ashikaga shogun during the Muromachi period (1392–1573). At the time, Japanese weavers were unable to produce gold brocade, satin damask, and other advanced textiles. Instead, such fabrics used in Noh costumes were imported from China and Korea. The high cost of this practice suggests the ruling class attached considerable importance to gifting rare and expensive textiles to Noh performers for use in Noh theater.

Major Work(s) on Exhibit 6 results

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
Highlight		Textile with Phoenix Circles, Named "Gold Brocade of the Two Shizukas"	China, Passed down by the Maeda clan	Ming dynasty, 14th–15th century	TI-190-16
		Striped Textile with Myriad Treasures, Named “Konparu's Gold Brocade”	China, Passed down by the Maeda clan	Ming dynasty, 16th–17th century	TI-190-8
Highlight	Important Cultural Property	Noh Costume ("Happi") with Dragons and Clouds	China	Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century	Lent by Kasuga Shrine, Gifu
Highlight	Important Cultural Property	Noh Costume ("Kariginu") with Beasts and Flowering Plants	China	Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century	Lent by Kasuga Shrine, Gifu
Highlight		Noh Costume ("Happi") with Octagon-and-Square Pattern	China, Passed down by the Konparu school, Nara	Edo period, 18th century	I-3255
Highlight		Noh Costume ("Chōken") with Birds, Butterflies, Peonies, and Vines	Korea , Passed down by the Uesugi clan	Edo period, 18th century	I-2836

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