Hydrangea flowers embroidered on white plain-weave silk rise dynamically from the right]hand hem toward the left shoulder. The area within the cluster of flowers is filled with gold foil. The growing bush evokes the shape of the kosode (short-sleeved kimono) widely worn in the mid-Edo period. This Noh costume reflects the type of fabric used for kosode in those days. The sturdy trunk of the old bush, its bent branches and the flowers in full bloom express the power of life. The sleek yet firm hand of the fabric was probably created by the raw silk warp. A decorative technique for kosode, nuihaku which combined embroidery and impressed gold or silver foil (surihaku), was widely employed in the Momoyama period. Nuihaku also indicated a Noh costume using this technique.