Hagoromo in Ukiyo-e

 #ukiyo-e #hagoromo #japanese prints 

HAGOROMO in Ukiyo-e 

Hiroshige has focused on the maiden herself suggesting she is changing into a bird and showing us some of the foreshore at TAGO which is still a popular picnic spot partly because of this legend but also for the views across the bay of FujiSan 

Chikanobu however seems to have thinking of both the Noh play the original legend and his love of detailed costumes though his Celestial Maiden seems to be wearing Chinese fabrics and the feathers drape over branches as if they were fabric. 

I wonder if someone had done a Kabuki version of the Noh play?

Don't forget to scroll back to the partner post to this one showing photos of Noh actor costumes.

Angel Robes

HAGOROMO 

There is a #Noh play called #HAGOROMO about the ancient legend of the fisherman who found a celestial maiden bathing and took her feathered over robe.

This is mentioned in poems and depicted in prints.

Prints I'll save for the next 

Here are some images of Noh  costumes.

Note the plumage pattern in gold and consider how it would have shimmered in a stage lit only by daylight or lanterns if an evening performance.

On this costume the gold dominates but this makes the darker outlines of feathers emphasize the actors movements on stage.

Finally while this is not a photo it shows yet another costume design and I wanted to group these together as the ukiyo-e artists take a different approach to the story.

Note how all three costumes feature a phoenix in or on the headdress as well as the plumage pattern along the top and down over most of the robe and a fan. The pine tree is a reminder of the foreshore pines at TAGO that the maiden spread her robes over. 

Next post ; how did ukiyo-e artists depict this story.

hiatus Again

I have no ideas for themes for the end of July and August 

Okay one vague idea but it needs more research 

In a week or two come back 

Meanwhile scroll down n enjoy older posts