A Two Panel Fragment Taken from a Kyogen Costume: Resist Dyed Hemp Cloth

early twentieth century
34 1/4" x 31", 87 cm x 79 cm

This is a two panel piece 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 piece is said to come from theatrical hakama and the creasing on the panel verifies this. Shown are ten family crests each with a stylized image, among them are a bird, probably a plover or chidori; a millstone; a money pouch, a ripe peach and a ship's sail. There are also mochi mallets, cloves, a seashell and a counterweight .

The cloth is hand stitched from two pieces and its graphic appeal is instant. 

This is a lovely cloth with an interesting history.