Antique Kesa, Japanese Buddhist Priest's Robe
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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Pre 1900: Item # 39664
Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Pre 1900: Item # 39664
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Antique Japanese kesa, purple satin silk brocade. Kesa was originally made from scraps of material donated to the priests. People who gave to Buddhist institutions were often keen to give very expensive items, so some fabulous kesa were created from wonderful silk brocades. This also could mean that the wealthier temples end up collecting the better fabrics or able to send out for the expensive custom made kesa as this. The customs of using different types of kesa vary so greatly between sects and era. For example in Shinto this hichi-jo, seven-panel, kesa is the most formal one, as to nine panels for Zen-shu.
The color is a very deep bluish purple. It almost looked black in the dim light. It has gone through repairs with sewing machine (top area in photo #1. Same area are shown upside down in photos #7,8,9). The repair strengthen the weakening area and save this beautiful kesa. The oohi (skinny piece) is listed separately at #41749.
With all the damages and repairs, this old silk (Shusu, satin) still remains beautiful with the rich color of fine gold. The photos did hide the age of silk to some extent and the gold was sensitive to minor light. Some gold leaf loss reveal the white threads underneath. Dimensions: 78 3/4" x 47 1/2".