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Buddhist priest's robe (kesa)
Japanese
Edo period
dated 1802 (Kyōwa 2)
Object Place: Japan
Medium/Technique
Appliquéd silk, gilt paper; lampas with 2/1 twill foundation and 1/2 twill supplementary weave (karaori); pieced and appliquéd
Dimensions
Height x width: 112.8 x 200.5 cm (44 7/16 x 78 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Denman Waldo Ross Collection
Accession Number17.626
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionSeven-columned kesa with decoration of Chinese lions and peonies. Columns, dividing bands, border: red silk ground patterned with horizontal bands of Chinese lions and peonies in the long floats of the supplementary wefts. The peonies are realistically rendered, and the Chinese lions are executed in a lively manner. The flat-gold paper thread glitters brilliantly. Shiten, niten: light blue silk ground with woven-in designs of scrolling vines in silver-leafed paper thread. Pairs of warps are transposed after every three weft insertions, creating a gauze weave effect. The design is created by interweaving the silver-leafed paper thread on either side of the thick weft yarn. Lining: silk plain-weave fabric of degummed brown warps and degummed dark blue wefts. Inscription: @ (in ink). Several traces of refashioning apparent.
InscriptionsInscription
@
@
ProvenanceDenman Waldo Ross Collection; Gift from Denman Waldo Ross to the MFA on February 15, 1917