Kimono Rack (Ikō) with Scrolling Foliage and Tokugawa Family Crest

Japan

Not on view

As numerous extant examples demonstrate, in the Momoyama (1573–1615) and early Edo periods artisans from various painting schools depicted on folding screens an array of sumptuously patterned garments, including Noh robes casually draped over kimono racks. These compositions of garments on lacquer clothing stands appeared in paintings as “advertisements” for kimono makers as well as in paintings of both brothel scenes and the interiors of military residences. In fact, a twelfth-century document mentions the interior furnishings appropriate for a room in an aristocrat’s house, including a clothing stand draped with garments. By the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, lacquer clothing stands had become a conventional item included in the bridal trousseau of wealthy women. The kimono rack on view could have been part of the trousseau of a Tokugawa princess.

Kimono Rack (Ikō) with Scrolling Foliage and Tokugawa Family Crest, Lacquered wood with gold hiramaki-e on nashiji (“pear-skin” ground); gilt bronze fittings, 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.