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Noh costume (atsuita-karaori)


Kimono
Japanese
Edo period
18th century
Object Place: Japan

Medium/Technique Silk; 5/1 twill ground self-patterned with 1/5 twill, ikat-dyed (kasuri) and weft color change, silk patterning weft floats
Dimensions 149.9 x 142.9 cm (59 x 56 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.3904
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsCostumes

DescriptionSilk Noh theater robe (atsuita-karaori) in alternating blocks of color and design in dark blue, purple and brown with Buddhist Wheel-of-the-Law motifs (rinbo) and Chinese lions (karashishi) and peony (botan) crests on an interlocking fretwork (sayagata) background.
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.