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Noh Robe (Karaori)

second half 18th century
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Noh Robe (Karaori)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: second half 18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Twill-weave silk with brocading in silk and supplementary weft patterning in silk (karaori)
  • Dimensions: Overall: 68 x 50 3/4 in. (172.7 x 128.9 cm)
  • Classification: Costumes
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.61
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Noh Robe (Karaori) , Twill-weave silk with supplementary weft patterning in silk and gold-leaf paper strips (karaori), Japan

Noh Robe (Karaori)

Japan
first half 19th century
Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese
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Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
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Noh Robe (Karaori), Twill-weave silk with supplementary weft patterning in silk and gold-leaf paper strips (karaori), Japan
Noh Robe (Karaori)
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