Nuihaku (Noh Costume)
Late Edo period (1789–1868), 1801-25
Japan
Japan
Many of the elaborately embroidered round crests (mon) on this costume are similar to known personal crests of real actors, but others are imaginary designs. Collectively, they are meant to give this garment graphic impact when worn onstage. In Noh dramas, actors wear stylized masks and use methodical movements to portray narratives based on classical literature or Buddhist beliefs.
Silk, warp-float faced 7:1 satin weave; patterned with impressed gold leaf; embroidered with silk and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper-strip-wrapped cotton in satin and single satin stitches; laid work and couching; lined with silk, plain weave; dyed with beni (safflower)