Nō Costume (Nuihaku) with Blossoming Trees and Flowers
Unknown Artist
1675–99
Medium
embroidery, silk and applied gold leaf on silk ground
Dimensions
164 × 138 cm
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1974.36
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This magnificent robe was a costume specifically designed for performances of Noh theater in Japan. Originating during the 1300s from simple folk plays, Noh drama evolved into formal presentations of ritual, theater, dance, and music performed in the courts and shrines of the nobility. Stories were derived from a variety of sources—myths, legends, poetry, and prose—many dating back to the medieval period. Because great importance was placed on subtlety and elegance, plots tended to be minimal. W...