"Yugen: Noh Masks and Costumes From the Ii Family" Exhibition
Hikone Castle Museum
This event has ended.
Noh, a traditional Japanese entertainment that is composed of songs and dances, has a history of more than 600 years. The performers adorn themselves with specially made masks and costumes; masks are created from wood and are decorated with paint combining the real and abstract to show an expression-less face. Thus, Noh performances represent emotions by angling a mask in respective angles and gestures.
On the other hand, the costumes used in Noh are luxurious and adorned heavily. This is derived from the tradition of the performers receiving clothes as gifts from their wealthy supporters and audiences.
Since the Edo period, Noh had played the role of ceremonial dance among warriors and clans. In fact, the shogunate employed Noh players and collected Noh masks and costumes actively as a hobby. The Ii family, who was the federal leaders of Hikone, built the Noh stage in Hikone castle.
In the exhibition, there are about 230 Noh masks and about 900 Noh costumes that are from the Ii Family and are now in the museum's collection.
Media
Schedule
from August 25, 2007 to September 27, 2007