second half of the 18th-19th century
Japan
Object qualities
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Objectclothes: Noh costume (nuihaku)
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilk embroidery and gold leaf on silk satin
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SizeOverall: 65 x 53 1/2 in. (165.1 x 135.9 cm)
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Geography details
Japan -
Country today
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Datesecond half of the 18th-19th century
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CultureJapan
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PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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There are over twenty different crests of varying size on this robe. Some of the designs have Buddhist significance, such as the manji (reverse swastika) and the circular “wheels of Buddhist law.” Others have auspicious symbolism or are purely decorative. These colorful crests with gold-leaf backgrounds (monzukushi) are customarily embroidered on white, black, red, or indigo Noh costumes made from satin. These costumes, called Nuihaku, are mainly worn by male actors playing young female protagonists. The waist area is left blank in a style known as koshi-ake (literally, “blank waist”) as these robes are often worn turned down at the waist.