Wedding robe (uchikake) with design of standing curtains, maple trees, and large drum, late 19th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Silk with gold embroideryexpand_more
Gift of the Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture; formerly given to the Center by Koji Wadaexpand_more 2013.29.374
Not on Viewexpand_more
The owner of this robe wore her love of The Tale of Genji on her sleeve, so to speak. Instead of an illustration, however, the combination of nonfigural motifs on this robe represents a collective evocation of a specific moment from the Tale. In this case, maple trees and a large drum, along with standing curtains (a type of room divider) point to a scene early in the Tale in which 19-year-old Genji and a friend perform a dance in a palace garden beneath a maple tree. Genji’s youthful beauty and talent are so magnificent that his dancing partner is rendered inconsequential: “A nondescript mountain shrub beside a blossoming cherry,” as recounted in the Tale. The scene is also rife with unspoken emotions and drama. For starters, the performance has been organized by Genji’s father, the emperor, for the enjoyment of his pregnant wife, Genji’s stepmother. Unbeknownst to the emperor, she is carrying Genji’s child.
Details
- Title
- Wedding robe (uchikake) with design of standing curtains, maple trees, and large drum
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2013.29.374
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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