Minneapolis Institute of Art
Outer robe (uchikake) for the spider disguised as maid Kochō in the Kagura dance Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)
Japan
- Date
- 19th century
- Medium
- Cloth: silk, metallic thread, glass, lining: silk
- Department
- Asian Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
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
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