A Section of Resist Dyed Hemp Cloth: Kyogen Costume

early twentieth century
37" x 16", 94 cm x 40.5 cm

This is a length of crisp, scuffed and creased stencil dyed hemp or ramie cloth that is said to have come from a costume for kyogen. Kyogen is a kind of comical theater act that developed with Noh and provides comic relief between acts in a Noh drama.

Kyogen costumes are usually elaborate in their use of flashy costumes that often are made of large repeats or of high contrast designs. 

This length is said to come from theatrical hakama and the creasing on the panel verifies this. Shown are five family crests each with a stylized image: a bird, probably a plover or chidori; a millstone; a money pouch; a ripe peach and a ship's sail.

The cloth is wide and its graphic appeal is instant. 

This is a lovely cloth with an interesting history.