TAB Event - Special Exhibition "Masks and Costume for the Noh Play 'Miidera'"

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At Tokyo National Museum
Media: Fashion, Crafts

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Miidera temple, also known as Onjoji, is located in Omi province (Shiga prefecture) by Lake Biwa, and was famous for the sound of its bell. In the Edo period (1603-1868) the "Evening Bell from the Temple of Mii" was counted as one of the "Eight Views of Omi". The Noh play "Miidera" revolves around a woman whose son was kidnapped by a slave dealer. She was finally able to meet the child again with the help of the bell of Miidera.

The woman, who lost sanity after her son was kidnapped, is staying at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. The actor in her role wears a karaori with an autumn grass design in subdued colors without hakama (traditional Japanese trousers), and uses a mask of a middle-aged woman such as shakumi or fukai. One day, the insane woman has a dream in which she is told that if she goes to Miidera, she will be able to meet her child. Delighted, she prepares and sets out for a trip to the temple. When she arrives at Miidera, it is jugo-ya (full-moon night), and temple priests, wearing sunboshi caps and mizugoromo coat over noshime garments, are enjoying the full moon with a boy attendant. The sound of the temple bell, struck by the sexton wearing a kataginu vest and hanbakama trousers, can be heard. Being expected to perform an interesting trick, the woman who lost her child is invited to the moon-viewing party. The insane mother, now in a mizugoromo coat and koshimaki (a garment worn in wrap-around-the-waist fashion), is elated by the beautiful moonlight and begs for permission to strike the bell. Finally the permission is granted and she begins to strike the bell. The boy attendant, who was enjoying the full moon, realizes the woman is his mother. When the boy asks the insane woman about her hometown, she recognizes his voice as her son's. Overjoyed, the mother and son leave for home.

The drama, featuring animated scenes of bell striking alternated with elegant moon-viewing scenes, is a popular work and is still often performed in autumn today.

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