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Not currently on display at the V&A

Kimono

1820-1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This kimono is an uchikake or outer kimono and would have been worn during the winter months. It is exquisitely embroidered, using a great variety of stitches, with different scenes derived from Japanese art, legends and literature.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Satin weave silk (<i>shu</i>), with embroidery in silk and metallic threads
Brief description
Kimono, satin weave silk embroidered with scenes, Japan, 1820-1860.
Physical description
Kimono embroidered with landscape scenes that include a mountain top pavilion with waterfall and blossoming tree with broom. The women's light blue satin silk (shu) kimono, with long hanging sleeves (furisode), is padded and lined throughout with scarlet Japanese silk. This Japanese silk lining continues beyond the bottom of the blue satin and encases a thick roll of padding to form a wadded hem. The kimono is embroidered with landscape scenes (see register for detailed description of motifs), and is mostly executed in coloured twisted silk satin stitch, knot stitch (sagura-nui), and wrapped gold and coloured silk laid and couched work. Some of the embroidery has been raised over cord. In places, touches of paint have been added to the embroidery.
Dimensions
  • Length: 175.5cm
  • Width: 126cm
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1981/1201.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceTales of Ise
Summary
This kimono is an uchikake or outer kimono and would have been worn during the winter months. It is exquisitely embroidered, using a great variety of stitches, with different scenes derived from Japanese art, legends and literature.
Bibliographic reference
Jackson, Anna. Japanese Textiles in the Victoria & Albert Museum. London: V&A, 2000. Plate 24. ISBN 1851773169
Collection
Accession number
FE.36-1981

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2004
Record URL
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