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Buddhist priest's robe (kesa)
Japanese
Meiji era
late 19th to early 20th century
Object Place: Japan
Medium/Technique
Appliquéd silk, gilt paper; 2/1 twill weave with discontinuous supplementary wefts bound in 1\2 twill order; pieced and appliquéd (Karaori)
Dimensions
Height x width: 113.2 x 199.5 cm (44 9/16 x 78 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number21.200
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionSeven-columned kesa with decoration of crane and phoenixes. Columns, dividing bands, border: red silk ground patterned with a crane, phoenixes, chrysanthemums, and diamonds in supplementary wefts. Interspersed among two large phoenixes and a crane are various types of chrysanthemum branches and diamond patterns. Float threads are absent; instead, all supplementary wefts are tightly bound to the ground fabric. Shiten, niten: white silk ground fabric; the motifs are aligned with those of the columns, dividing bands, and border. A red, round, braided cord is attached to the left of the two panels (niten) and looped cords are attached in two places to the lining. Lining: light brown plain-weave silk.
ProvenanceGift to MFA on March 3, 1921