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 Mount Hōrai

Japan

Not on view

This uchikake was one of a set of three luxurious over robes—white, red, and black, all with matching designs—worn by a samurai bride. Decorated with auspicious patterns to summon good fortune and a happy marriage, such sets were specially ordered for the wedding and typically worn only once. For the ceremony, the bride wore all white, symbolizing her resolve to be a gentle and obedient wife. After the ritual drinking of sake, she changed into colorful garments (ironaoshi) from the groom for the cele­bratory banquet. This red robe evokes Penglai, the mythological Chinese mountain of eternal life, known in Japan as Mount Hōrai. Japanese depictions of the legendary site were stylized as gatherings of cranes and long-tailed tortoises set in a bright landscape dominated by pine and plum trees, and bamboo stalks.

On view from October 22, 2022–February 20, 2023

Over Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Hōrai, Figured satin-weave silk (rinzu) with paste-resist dyeing, stencil-dyed dots (suri-bitta), silk embroidery, and couched gold and silver 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.

Over Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Hōrai, Figured satin-weave silk (rinzu) with paste-resist dyeing, stencil-dyed dots (suri-bitta), silk embroidery, and couched gold and silver thread, Japan
Over Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Hōrai, Figured satin-weave silk (rinzu) with paste-resist dyeing, stencil-dyed dots (suri-bitta), silk embroidery, and couched gold and silver thread, Japan

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