Jacket with Dragon and Mount Fuji

19th century

Not on view

The dragon is a fantastic animal that originated in China and spread throughout Asia. The dragon on this jacket is seen among clouds and bolts of lightning in a setting rendered specifically and unmistakably Japanese by the presence of Mount Fuji.

The jacket may have belonged to a firefighter in the city of Edo (present-day Tokyo), which, owing to climactic conditions and combustible building materials, was especially susceptible to destructive blazes. Some scholars suggest that the patterns on firemen's jackets were selected to provide protection to the firefighter. In the case of this jacket, East Asian tradition associates the dragon with water, and the majestic Mount Fuji has long inspired awe.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Jacket with Dragon and Mount Fuji
Date: 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Cotton
Dimensions: H. including neckband 37 3/4 in. (95.9 cm); W. 49 1/4 in. (125.1 cm)
Classification: Costumes
Credit Line: Gift of John B. Elliott through the Mercer Trust, 1999
Object Number: 1999.247.2
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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