Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina Branches

Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina Branches

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

On this robe, scattered books decorated with seasonal motifs and poetic patterns evoke the aristocratic world of the Heian period (794–1185) and literary masterpieces such as The Tale of Genji. At the same time, they reflect the rise in publishing and literacy during the Edo period. Among the patterns on the books are waves with seashells (upper back, left) and flat bamboo baskets with cherry blossoms (lower back, left). The naturalistic depiction of the auspicious nandina plant, with its colorful red and pink berries, appears from hem to shoulder. Such tree patterns are commonly found on garments from the late eighteenth century, but are unusual for a Noh robe. With its solid gold ground, this robe is especially splendid, and it was likely worn by actors playing upper-class women.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina BranchesNoh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina BranchesNoh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina BranchesNoh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina BranchesNoh Costume (Nuihaku) with Books and Nandina Branches

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.