The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Headband (Kazura-obi) and Sash (Koshi-obi) with Ivy

late 18th–early 19th century

Not on view

Headbands such as this one with a pattern of ivy and stylized arabesques (karakusa), are tied around the head to hold wigs in place for female roles. As with sashes, only the midsection (across the forehead) and the trailing ends are decorated. This elegant set has a green ground with silk embroidery featuring fixed stitches. The plain-weave ramie sections are embellished with stenciled gold-leaf patterns (surihaku) of paulownia flowers and leaves.

Headband (Kazura-obi) and Sash (Koshi-obi) with Ivy, Silk satin with silk embroidery, Japan — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

緑地蔦唐草模様鬘帯と腰帯

Title: Headband (Kazura-obi) and Sash (Koshi-obi) with Ivy

Period: Edo period (1615–1868)

Date: late 18th–early 19th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Silk satin with silk embroidery

Dimensions: Headband (a): 1 7/8 in. × 91 in. (4.8 × 231.1 cm)
Belt (b): 2 3/4 in. × 8 ft. 9 in. (7 × 266.7 cm)

Classification: Costumes

Credit Line: Lent by John C. Weber Collection

Accession Number: WT.Weber.02a, b

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.