Suntory Museum of Art
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Collection
Notable Works
Koshimaki over-kimono of brown silk-warp fabric with myriad treasures motifs

Notable Works

Textiles

Koshimaki over-kimono of brown silk-warp fabric with myriad treasures motifs

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Number of components: 1
Dimensions (in cm): L. 173.0, D. (sleeve) 45.0, L. (center-to-sleeve) 64.3
Date of production: Edo period 19th century

Precious object motifs have been embroidered all over the brown glossed silk, which was dyed with iron mordant. It is a classic example of a koshimaki design in the latter half of the Edo period. Koshimaki were worn by women of the samurai class as formal clothing in the summer. The sacred jewel, magic hammer, weight, amulet, clove, cloak of invisibility, hat of invisibility, precious scroll, key to the storehouse, and magic bag motifs are among those embroidered in red, white, green, yellow-green, black, and gold. The embroidery is quite delicate. Most notably, the surface of the magic bag, which is about three centimeters long, is embroidered with a standing doll and a landscape with pavilion, a reference to Mengzong, who appears in the Chinese classic, Twenty-four Stories of Filial Piety.

Notable Works

Koshimaki over-kimono of brown silk-warp fabric with myriad treasures motifs

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART