Court Lady’s Garment (Kosode) with Swallows and Bells on Blossoming Cherry Tree

Japan

Not on view

The design of this elegant garment, a type favored by aristocrats and court ladies from the late Edo (1615–1868) through the early Meiji period, is composed of a single flowering cherry tree. A red string with tiny gold bells is tied to the tree, while birds fly around its delicate blossoms and sit on the branches. The flowers and leaves are embroidered; their bright white, red, and green hues form a sharp contrast with the deep purple ground created through the use of an aniline, or chemical, dye imported from Europe.

Court Lady’s Garment (Kosode) with Swallows and Bells on Blossoming Cherry Tree, Silk crepe (chirimen) with silk embroidery and couched gold thread, Japan

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Court Lady’s Garment (Kosode) with Swallows and Bells on Blossoming Cherry Tree, Silk crepe (chirimen) with silk embroidery and couched gold thread, Japan
Court Lady’s Garment (Kosode) with Swallows and Bells on Blossoming Cherry Tree, Silk crepe (chirimen) with silk embroidery and couched gold thread, Japan

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.