Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges

Japan

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A nuihaku is a pliant, full-length costume for the Noh theater usually worn by actors playing the roles of women or young men. The term nuihaku is a compound word made up of two textile techniques: embroidery (nui) and application of metallic leaf (haku). On this robe, the embroidered design consists of scattered sprays of ripe millet and nandina plants with their characteristic red berries, while applied gold leaf defines alternating blocks of pine branches and zither (koto) bridges. All four motifs have auspicious symbolism in Japanese art.

Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges, Silk embroidery and gold leaf on silk twill, Japan

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Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges, Silk embroidery and gold leaf on silk twill, Japan
Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges, Silk embroidery and gold leaf on silk twill, Japan
Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges, Silk embroidery and gold leaf on silk twill, Japan
Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Millet and Nandina Berries on a Background of Pine Branches and Zither Bridges, Silk embroidery and gold leaf on silk twill, Japan

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