Minneapolis Institute of Art
Outer robe (uchikake) for the spider disguised as maid Kochō in the Kagura dance Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)
JapanLinkedCulture matchlcp-9cfc54f21d2c
- Date
- 19th century
- Medium
- Cloth: silk, metallic thread, glass, lining: silk
- Department
- Asian Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Object ID
- 149892
From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record
This large, formal outer robe or uchikake served as costume for a Kagura dance of Tsuchigumo (lit. earth spider) when the monstrous spider is disguised as the maid Kochō who tries to poison Minamoto Yorimitsu. Dominating the upper section of the back is a gigantic golden spider rendered in dynamic, expressive detail—its legs splayed wide across a background of radiating spiderweb motifs stitched in metallic thread. The creature’s exaggerated glass eyes and fangs give it a striking, supernatural presence. Below the spider, the design transitions into a contrasting motif: a bamboo lattice interwoven with flowers. Japan, Asia
The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Get printable QR codesHide QR codes
Open QR codes for this object page and the museum record. They stay collapsed until needed.
Provenance & credit
As published by the source institution. Coverage varies — not every institution's open-data feed includes ownership history.
- Credit line
- The Gary L. Gliem Endowment for Japanese Art
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Minneapolis Institute of Art and other institutions.
Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Scenes of Filial Piety
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#45415
Minamoto Yorimitsu (Raikō) and His Retainers Attacking the Earth Spider (Tsuchigumo)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
#127972
Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Mandarin Oranges and Folded-Paper Butterflies
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#65607
Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Chrysanthemum and Wisteria Bouquets
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#65608
Wedding robe (uchikake) with design of standing curtains, maple trees, and large drum
Minneapolis Institute of Art
#117448
Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Maple Tree and River
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#45200
Wedding robe
Minneapolis Institute of Art
#117832
Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Phoenixes and Paulownia
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#65230
Noh costume with geometric pattern for the role of Okina
Minneapolis Institute of Art
#63452
The Earth Spider Generates Monsters at the Mansion of Lord Minamoto Yorimitsu (Minamoto Yorimitsu [Raikō] kō no yakata ni tsuchigumo yōkai o nasu zu)
Harvard Art Museums
#77250
Over Robe (Uchikake) with Genji Wheels, Narcissus Bouquets, Wild Ginger Leaves, Wisteria, and Chrysanthemums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
#904162
Wedding robe (uchikake) with design of tree peonies
Minneapolis Institute of Art
#30629