Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Maple Leaves and Fans

second half of the 18th–first half of the 19th century

Not on view

After the death of a woman of high social status, one or more of her treasured garments would often be presented to a temple, where they were made into altar cloths or vestments, like this kesa. Such donations constitute a form of shōgon, which was thought to bestow karmic merit on the donor. Shōgon refers to the gorgeous adornment of Buddhist altars and worship halls where rituals are performed.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

紅縮緬地紅葉軍配団扇模様袈裟
Title: Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Maple Leaves and Fans
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: second half of the 18th–first half of the 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Paste-resist dyed silk crepe (chirimen) with shaped-resist dyeing, silk and metallic-thread embroidery
Dimensions: Overall: 42 3/4 x 67 1/4 in. (108.6 x 170.8 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Costumes
Credit Line: Gift of E. G. Kennedy, 1932
Object Number: 32.65.25
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Scenes of Filial Piety, Crepe silk with paste-resist dyeing and silk- and gold-thread embroidery, Japan — Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Scenes of Filial Piety
Japan
late 18th–early 19th century

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
Japanese
16th century

Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Penglai, Crepe silk with paste-resist dyeing, stencil-dyed dots, silk- and gold-thread embroidery, Japan — Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Penglai
Japan
mid-19th century

Koto (箏), Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan Japanese, Various woods, ivory and tortoiseshell inlays, gold and silver inlays, metalwork, cloth, laquer, paper,, Japanese — Koto (箏)
Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan
Workshop of Gotō Yūjō
early 17th century

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.