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Beniji botan karakusa moyo karaori shichijo kesa
Buddhist priest's robe (kesa)
Beniji botan karakusa moyo karaori shichijo kesa
Japanese
Edo period
latter half of 18th to first half of 19th century
Object Place: Japan
Medium/Technique
Appliquéd Karaori, silk, gilt paper; 4and1 satin weave patterned with continuous supplementary wefts (gilt paper) bound in 1\4 twill order and discontinuous supplementary-weft floats (silk); pieced and appliquéd
Dimensions
Height x width: 112.5 x 214.1 cm (44 5/16 x 84 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Frances McFadden
Accession Number1984.736
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionSeven-columned kesa with decoration of lotus and peony arabesques. Columns, dividing bands, border, shiten, niten: red silk ground patterned with lotus and peony arabesques in the long floats of the supplementary wefts. Only the central portions of the flowers are patterned in colored supplementary-weft floats; the remainder is executed in flat gold-leafed paper thread. Although two types of flowers are represented (lotus and peonies), they are linked by a single type of scrolling vine. The floral motifs are stylized, but the vine is more relaxed. In the center of the lotus are nested diamond patterns. Lining: yellow plain-weave silk woven with thin warp yarns.
ProvenanceGift of Frances McFadden to MFA, November 21, 1984