Showcasing silk dyed with beni (the pigment extracted from safflower petals) and lacquered in gold, this kimono design dates to the Edo period (1615-1868), when it was used as a costume for the theatrical style known as Noh. Karaori refers specifically to the exquisitely embroidered woman's kimono that traditional Noh theatre was known for. Both the material itself and the pattern depicted would have helped tell the story of the character.