Kabuki Costume: Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Design of Lioness and Cubs

Japan

Not on view

The costumes of the Kabuki theater are known for their dramatic effect. The back of this uchikake, or outer robe, confronts the audience with the shocking spectacle of a lioness with bulging glass eyes pushing a cub off a high ledge. The lioness uses this brutal means to test the endurance of her cubs and will only take care of those who manage to climb back up to the promontory where she stands. On the front of the robe another cub is energetically beginning the ascent. The story, of uncertain source, is associated with a holy mountain of Buddhism, Tientai (Tendai, in Japanese), in China.

Kabuki Costume: Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Design of Lioness and Cubs, Silk, cotton, and metallic thread, glass, embroidered satin, Japan

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Kabuki Costume: Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Design of Lioness and Cubs, Silk, cotton, and metallic thread, glass, embroidered satin, Japan
Kabuki Costume: Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Design of Lioness and Cubs, Silk, cotton, and metallic thread, glass, embroidered satin, Japan

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