On loan

  • On short term loan out for exhibition

Kimono

1980-2000 (made)
Place of origin
Japan (made)

The traditional Japanese wedding ceremony takes place in a Shinto shrine. The bride wears a white under-kimono and heavy white outer-kimono known as a shiromuku. Before joining her family and friends for the reception, the bride exchanges the white outer-kimono for an elaborate and brightly-coloured one. This example is decorated with a design of cranes, symbols of longevity, flying over a landscape of gold, blue and green flowers on a bright red ground.

Object details

Categories
Textiles
Womenswear
Marriage
Object type
Kimono
Materials and techniques
Brocade silk
Silk (Textile)
Weaving
Brief description
Red silk wedding kimono, Japan, 1980-2000
Physical description
Red silk wedding outer kimono (uchikake) of brocade silk (nishiki). The garment is woven with a design of flying cranes and gold, blue and green flowers. It has a red silk lining, and a heavily padded hem.
Dimensions
  • Length: 173cm
  • Width: 134.5cm
Gallery label
(29/02/2020)
Outer-kimono (uchikake) are now only worn by brides. This elaborate example is decorated with cranes, an auspicious motif that symbolises longevity. The tradition of changing outfits during the wedding continues, with red kimono being worn after the ceremony. Today the ‘colour alteration’ custom can also include a western-style wedding dress, a popular choice with contemporary brides for their final reception outfit.
Credit line
Given by Moe Co. Ltd.
Subjects depicted
Cranes (Birds)
Flowers
Summary
The traditional Japanese wedding ceremony takes place in a Shinto shrine. The bride wears a white under-kimono and heavy white outer-kimono known as a shiromuku. Before joining her family and friends for the reception, the bride exchanges the white outer-kimono for an elaborate and brightly-coloured one. This example is decorated with a design of cranes, symbols of longevity, flying over a landscape of gold, blue and green flowers on a bright red ground.
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
FE.153-2002

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdAugust 1, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O126698/kimono/
Download as: JSON