Robe for a Buddhist Monk with Cranes and Clouds (Kesa)

early 20th century

Not on view

The visual allusion to patchwork in this mantle reflects the origins of this type of monastic clothing. Early mantles often incorporated pieces of discarded clothing worn by the founder of Buddhism—Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha Shakyamuni—around the sixth century B.C.E. The opulence of this example suggests that it may once have been part of another type of garment that was donated to a temple to gain religious merit.

Medium: Silk with metal threads; compound weave
Dimensions: 47 3/4 × 80 1/2 in. (121.3 × 204.5 cm)
Loom Width: 27 in. (68.6 cm)
Credit Line: Hobart and Edward Small Moore Memorial Collection, Gift of Mrs. William H. Moore
Accession Number: 1951.12.39
Geography: Japan
Culture: Japanese
Period: Meiji era (1868–1912)
Classification: Apparel/Costume
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance

William L. Keane 1951; Mrs. William H. Moore (1858–1955) New York; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

clothing, robes

Technical metadata and APIs

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