This tall chirimen silk uchikake showcases embroidered, yuzen-painted, and couched scenes of flowers and mountain waterfalls set against an Antwerp blue background. While the inner lining bears stains (referenced in the detail image), the robe measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 65 inches (165 cm) in height.

The design of this uchikake indicates it was tailored for and worn by the bride of a high-ranking samurai family. During the late Edo period, ceremonial kimonos of the upper military class often featured heavily embroidered scenes depicting mountains and waterfalls. These designs were frequently derived from tales and moral lessons found in ancient Japanese poems, theater, and literature. Symbolism and allusions to these stories were hidden within the kimono's motifs, presented as riddles or clues understood only by the cultured and educated of that time, fostering an air of exclusivity and sophistication.

This artwork is featured on pages 376-379 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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