Unknown Maker, Japanese

Bridal kimono (furisode)

Maker

Unknown Maker, Japanese

Culture

Japanese

Title

Bridal kimono (furisode)

Period

Showa

Year

ca. 1945

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silk

Geography

Place Made: Japan

Dimensions

Length: 180.3 cm (71 inches) (from neck to hem)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Meyer Saklad

Object Number

78.126

Type

Exhibition History

Nuance in Nature
Birds and Flowers in Japanese Textile Design
Feb 16, 2007 – Jul 08, 2007

Label copy

This robe represents a tour-de-force of auspicious marriage symbols. A myriad of symbols borrowed from Buddhist and earlier traditions are rendered within overlapping fan motifs. The fan itself is as symbol of authority, but also one of the precious treasures which are associated with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Rolls of fabric (shown hanging) are symbolic of luxury and splendor, and a favorite ceremonial gift choice. A creative mallet, believed to be filled with gold bringing good fortune is even more appropriate a motif as it incorporates the male and female principles of nature thereby leading to the creation of all things in the universe. Large-scale pawlownia flowers, long believed to be the flower favored by the phoenix, are prominently displayed along the borders of the robe, while images of pines and cranes serve as reminders of endurance and longevity. The crane is also a companion of two of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

In copyright This object is in copyright

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Japanese
Bridal kimono (furisode), ca. 1945
Silk; resist dye, paint, embroidery
Length: 180.3 cm (71 inches) (from neck to hem)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Meyer Saklad 78.126

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.