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Noh costume (atsuita)


Kimono
Japanese
Meiji era
late 19th to early 20th century
Object Place: Japan

Medium/Technique Silk 5/1 twill ground, ikat-dyed (kasuri), patterned with silk and gilt-paper supplementary wefts tied in twill; bottom of robe patterned in 1/5 twill
Dimensions 153.7 x 136.5 cm (60 1/2 x 53 3/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.3886
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsCostumes

DescriptionNoh theater robe (atsuita) of alternating blocks of color and design including dragon (ryu) roundels, stylized gongs (choban) and floral motifs on interlocking fretwork patterns (sayagata) in reddish-orange, blue, purple, green, pink, gilt paper-wrapped thread and natural ecru supplemental weft patterning. There is a reddish-orange plain weave silk lining.
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.