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Buddhist priest's robe (kesa)
Japanese
Meiji era
late 19th to early 20th century
Object Place: Japan
Medium/Technique
Silk; lampas with plain-weave foundation and 1/3 twill supplementary weave; pieced and appliquéd
Dimensions
Height x width: 113 x 220 cm (44 1/2 x 86 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.3945
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionSeven-columned kesa with decoration of interlocking seven jewels. Columns, dividing bands, border, shiten: light brown silk ground with figured patterns of the interlocking seven jewels motif (shippo tsunagi). Diamond-shaped flowers embellish the centers of the interlocking circles, and affronted dragons appear in the interstitial spaces. Possibly a variation of the linked hexagons and squares motif known as shokko. Niten: none. Lining: light red plain-weave silk (machine woven).
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.