Surimono with gold highlights

Shikishiban

Nishiki-e

Ca.1880.

Shirabyōshi were traditional dancers of the 12th century, popular at the Japanese imperial court. They performed for kuge (nobles) and samurai.The dance depicted is the Shizuka (Shizuka-mai) or an interpretation of the famous historical figure Shizuka Gozen

Shirabyōshi are recognizable by the white makeup covering their face and neck and their masculine Shinto-inspired attire, including the tate-eboshi hat and tachi sword worn by samurai, the red hakama, a white suikan and a red suikan robed by Shintoists and a kawahori (fan held by men).