This chirimen (crepe) silk uchikake is adorned with scenic rural motifs—pavilions, bridges, boats, pine trees, rivers, and blossoming plum trees—painstakingly rendered using a masterful combination of yuzen and sumi e painting techniques. Silk embroidered details are accentuated with extensive gold thread couching, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship. The subtle color shading achieved through 'bokashi' dyeing on silk adds depth, utilizing both dry and wet brush strokes.

Its inner lining and lower hem feature a fine beni red silk that softens to a dark salmon color, with very light padding between this monochrome lining and the outer patterned layer. Exceptionally preserved, this garment remains in excellent condition, a rarity for such delicate, older garments.

Measuring 51 inches (130 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 63 inches (160 cm) in height, this uchikake likely served as a wedding over-kimono for a bride in a samurai household. The depicted scenes of bridges and pavilions possibly represent actual structures of the time, including the potential representation of the Uji bridge in Kyoto—an example of "meisho-e," scenes of famous places. A bride adorned in a meisho-e robe symbolized not only financial stability but also the leisure to visit such esteemed locales.

This artwork is featured on pages 368-371 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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