Noh Robe (Karaori)
Not on view
The sumptuous robes worn by actors of the Noh theater are vital to the representation of each character’s gender, social status, and age. Their treasure trove of patterns and textures likely prompted Moore to add Noh costumes to his collection. Karaori (literally, “Chinese weave”) is a term for the elaborate garments typically worn as outer robes by performers in female roles. The twill silk, woven so that the wefts float on the surface, gives the fabric an embroidered appearance. Robes for female roles feature motifs from nature; the example here, embellished with white peonies in roundels against red ground (iro-iri), denotes the role of an aristocratic young woman.
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