Art Institute of Chicago

Kesa

Japan

Date

1650/1700, Edo period (1615–1868)

Medium

Silk and gilt-paper strip; twill weave with secondary binding warp and supplementary patterning wefts

Culture

Japan

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Given that Buddhism was introduced into Japan from China, and many Japanese priests and monks visited China as part of their training, it is understandable that the influence of China continued to be felt in Japan for centuries. Even during the Edo period, when Japan was all but closed to the outside world, there was still a reverence for things Chinese, as exemplified by the use of treasured Chinese fabric, perhaps once part of a robe, in this striking kesa. The five-clawed dragon indicates Chinese imperial production.

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