Japanese Textile Art

DESCRIPTION:

This is an extraordinary and rare Buddhist Monk's Robe dating to the late 1800s. It has been hand woven of pure Silk in the Sha weave which was restricted to Buddhist religious ceremonies and Imperial Coronations. Nobles of high birth were actually limited to wearing this rare Silk only in the month of August when they were on their way to the Imperial Palace; thus, contributing to the scarcity of this very fine quality Silk. (In 17 years of searching Japan for museum quality textiles, this is only the second Sha garment that I have ever found).

Sha Silk is a member of the elegant Silk gossamers of the gauze family, which is known in Japan as "Karami Ori," a loose open mesh. Sha is actually known as the simplest weave of these fine transparent Silks, although its use was more highly restricted than any of the other gauze weaves. The secret of these open weave fabrics is the twisting of their fine warp threads in pairs. Then, the weft threads are inserted between the twists, forming an open weave that is strong, beautiful and cool. What makes Sha Silk stand out from the other gauze weaves is its soft texture, draping so very beautifully from the shoulders. Japan began domestic production of its own gauze weaves as early as the 8th Century, and there are exquisite examples from that period existing in the Shosoin Repository in Nara.

The minimalist design that exists in the form of a Japanese heraldic crest ("Mon") on the sleeves and center back of this magnificent garment is that of the flying Bat ("Komori"). The second half of the word for Bat, "mori" is a homophone for "luck," and can also be read as "fuku" which, in turn, is written with an ideograph meaning good fortune. Thus, in Asia, the Bat is an auspicious emblem.

While the Buddhist tradition, and the use of the symbolism of the Bat have been imported from China, this striking Robe truly exhibits the Japanese aesthetic of "Iki" which encompassed the ideals of simplicity and refinement. The actual character for the word, when written, means pure and unadulterated. By using the color Black, signifying the dignified and the formal, what was considered important in the Japanese culture was reinforced.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: Monk's Robe

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Meiji Era (1868 - 1911), ca 1890s

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Finely hand woven Sha Silk in incredible condition

FINISHED SIZE: 48"w x 34"h

PRESENTATION: To hang as a work of art, or to wear as a most elegant evening jacket suitable for black tie affairs.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $8900.00

TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.