Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Over Robe (Uchikake) with Shell-Matching Game Boxes
Not on view
This long-sleeved, light blue uchikake was probably worn by a young woman of the wealthy merchant class. The design of lacquered shell-matching game boxes (kai-oke) and shells, both decorated with scenes from and references to the Tale of Genji, is embroidered in colored silk and couched gold-wrapped thread. As only the two properly matching halves of a shell can be paired in the popular shell-matching game, it symbolizes a married couple and often appears on wedding garments. As it is the most vulnerable part of the garment, the hem is very rarely decorated, but on this luxurious uchikake, there is fine embroidery of shell patterns.
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