ticketsMember | Make a donation
English

Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses

early 17th century
Not on view
This sumptuous robe is among the earliest extant kosode (garment with small sleeve openings). The natural scenery of Japan’s coast, with its beaches strewn with shells and sea grass, inspired the delicate embroidered design. The foundation fabric, woven in an intricate key-fret pattern with floral motifs, was likely imported from China in its white, undecorated state. It was then resist dyed to achieve the effect of irregular sandbanks, and the marine motifs were embroidered on top. The alternating bands of light blue were further embellished with gold-leaf accents.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 染分紗綾地蜘蛛海松貝模様小袖
  • Title: Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Embroidery and gold leaf on plain-weave silk patterned with warp floats
  • Dimensions: Overall: 60 1/2 x 49 in. (153.7 x 124.5 cm)
  • Classification: Costumes
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Nomura, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. S. Morris Nomura, 1992
  • Object Number: 1992.253
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels, Figured satin-weave silk with tie-dyeing, silk embroidery, and couched gold thread, Japan
Robe (Kosode) with Floral Roundels
Japan
ca. 1670s
Robe (Kosode) with Cherry Blossoms and Cypress Fence , Silk and metallic thread embroidery with resist dyeing on satin damask, Japan

Robe (Kosode) with Cherry Blossoms and Cypress Fence

Japan
second half of the 17th century
Rough Waves, Ogata Kōrin Japanese, Two-panel folding screen; ink, color, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Rough Waves
Ogata Kōrin
ca. 1704–9
Old Plum, Kano Sansetsu Japanese, Four sliding-door panels (fusuma); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Old Plum
Kano Sansetsu
1646
Willows and Bridge, Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, copper, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Willows and Bridge
Japan
early 17th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 17

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.