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Over Robe (Uchikake) with Long-Tailed Birds in a Landscape

second half of the 18th century
Not on view
Birds with long tails inhabit a bright landscape of waterfalls, rocks, pine trees, and cherry blossoms. Resembling auspicious motifs frequently used in China, the birds have the vivid color of pheasants and the ribbon-like tails of magpies, yet the dominance of cherry blossoms firmly places the scene in Japan. The inherent qualities of the materials, such as the lustrous white satin damask ground, and techniques, such as the long floating satin stitch embroidery, used on this uchikake increase the reflection of light and lend great radiance to the auspicious landscape. Most brilliant of all is the gold thread applied with a couching technique for the waterfalls and forceful current. In the couching technique, shiny metallic threads are laid on the surface of the fabric and stitched into place, permitting the reflection of light along the unbroken length of the waterfall.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 白綸子地滝松桜尾長鳥模様打掛
  • Title: Over Robe (Uchikake) with Long-Tailed Birds in a Landscape
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: second half of the 18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Silk and metallic-thread embroidery and stencil paste-resist dyeing on silk satin damask
  • Dimensions: Overall: 72 x 49 in. (182.9 x 124.5 cm)
  • Classification: Costumes
  • Credit Line: Gift of Charles Zadok, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.46
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels, Figured satin-weave silk with tie-dyeing, silk embroidery, and couched gold thread, Japan
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Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses , Embroidery and gold leaf on plain-weave silk patterned with warp floats, Japan

Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses

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Zhou Maoshu Admiring Lotuses, Kaihō Yūsetsu Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink on silk, Japan
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