短冊色紙模様着物|Robe with Tanzaku and Shikishi Poem Cards

Unknown

first half of the 20th century · Crepe silk (chirimen); resist-dyed and hand-painted patterns, gold accents · Asian Art

The bluish-grey crepe silk kimono is decorated with colorful poem cards along the hem. The cards—elongated tanzaku and square shikishi—are depicted as an impressive collection that has just been scattered in front of someone to make a selection. Some bear inscriptions in a wide variety of calligraphic styles, while others are uninscribed. Still others are depicted upside down. The poem cards display a wide variety of motifs, including flowers, maple leaves, waves, or pine needles, in imitation of actual cards. Some are embellished with gold flakes, replicating the decoration of the elegant calligraphy papers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half of the 20th century

Medium

Crepe silk (chirimen); resist-dyed and hand-painted patterns, gold accents

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Sue Cassidy Clark, in memory of Terry Satsuki Milhaupt, 2013