deep navy blue robe with ornate, copper colored embroidery around sleeve cuffs, yoke, chest, and lower half

Chijiri robe with yellow embroidery, early 20th century

Unknown Ainuexpand_more

Cloth: cotton; cotton embroideryexpand_more

The John R. Van Derlip Fund and the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation; purchase from the Thomas Murray Collectionexpand_more  2019.20.26

Not on Viewexpand_more

Chijiri is a general term used for Ainu garments that are directly embroidered without appliqué. Absent the added layer of appliquéd cloth, the embroidery must stand on its own, demanding perfection. Ainu women selected thread colors, such as yellow, to contrast with, while also complement, the rich tones of these robes. They also considered various types of stitchwork—here, chain and couch—for the distinct visual qualities they offered. and then rendered stitches that are precise, small, and uniform.

Details
Title
Chijiri robe with yellow embroidery
Role
Maker
Accession Number
2019.20.26
Provenance
Okamura Kichiemon (in 1993)
Catalogue Raisonne
Murray et al. 2018, pl. 24
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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deep navy blue robe with ornate, copper colored embroidery around sleeve cuffs, yoke, chest, and lower half
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