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Collection

An image of 'Karaori' noh robe with design of flowers of the four seasons on sectioned red-and-white background by

Japan

Title
'Karaori' noh robe with design of flowers of the four seasons on sectioned red-and-white background
Other titles:
'Karaori' nô robe
Place of origin
Japan
Period
Edo (Tokugawa) period 1615 - 1868 → Japan
Year
19th century
Media category
Textile
Materials used
silk and gold metallic thread supplementary wefts in a silk twill ground
Dimensions

152.5 x 144.0cm

Credit
Purchased 2002
Accession number
321.2002
Location
Lower Asian gallery
Further information

Costumes for nô performance embody the highest achievements in Japanese textile and are an important part of the art of the samurai class that dominated Japan for 700 years prior to the mid-19th century. Unlike kabuki, the commoners' theatre, nô plays were characterized by their spiritual intensity, traditionally performed only once at special occasions: festivals, dedication to the gods/ ancestral spirits, welcoming important guests and so on. Of all nô costumes, 'karaori' (Chinese weave) is considered the best because of its special quality: all patterns are woven instead of embroidered, a technique developed in imitation of Chinese textile. 'Karaori' robes with red colour are worn by performers in young female roles. The design, flowers of the four seasons, makes this piece particularly bright and attractive.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 15 October 2002.

Bibliography (5)

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of New South Wales Annual Report 2004 2004, Sydney, 2004, 17 (colour illus.).

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of New South Wales Annual Report 2003 2003, Domain, 2003, 2 (colour illus.), 21 (colour illus.).

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 'The World of Samurai Culture', Domain, 2003, 211 (colour illus.).

Public Programmes Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales and The Japan Foundation (Editors), Art speaks Japanese: Japanese language education kit from the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales 2007, Sydney, 2007, colour illus.. card no. 09

Masterpieces of noh costume 1990, Tokyo, 1990, 17 (colour illus.), 74. cat.no. 6