Robe (kosode) with bird design

A flock of black birds swoops and dives, creating a powerful sense of motion. The birds, crows or mynas, appear to have been block-printed in ink, with details such as the birds’ eyes, beaks, and claws painted by hand. The fabric ground was once covered with silver foil, still visible in places, creating a shimmering backdrop for the birds’ flight.

During Japan’s Edo period, men and women alike wore kosode, robes with small wrist openings. The proportions of this robe are similar to the special kosode worn during the stylized and refined performances of the Noh theater. Where most kosode made for Noh employ sumptuous patterned brocades, or embroidery on gold- or silver-foiled cloth, this ink and silver robe reflects a more subdued aesthetic. Somewhere between an ordinary garment and a Noh costume, it may have been made for someone who practiced Noh dancing as a hobby rather than a professional Noh actor.