navy blue robe with black sleeves; body has blue stepped embroidery throughout, and sleeves have yellow diamond embroidery throughout; black solid collar; light blue interior lining

Dark blue-ground fisherman's festival coat (donza) made in Fukui Prefecture, second half 19th century

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Donza are coats worn by fishermen throughout Japan for festivals and special occasions until the 1930s, when production of them largely ceased. Narrow sleeves and extensive patterns rendered in sashiko, a form of decorative reinforcement stitching that uses cotton thread, are characteristics of this style of coat. Here, remarkably small stitches were placed only a few threads apart, incorporating the contrasting thread to such an extent, and achieving such a degree of regularity, that the pattern almost looks woven into the backing fabric. Its sleeves are decorated with a lattice pattern in yellow cotton thread, and the body of the garment features a complex pattern of arrow-like feathers in light-blue thread.

Details
Title
Dark blue-ground fisherman's festival coat (donza) made in Fukui Prefecture
Role
Maker
Accession Number
2019.20.139
Catalogue Raisonne
Murray et al. 2018, pl. 112
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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navy blue robe with black sleeves; body has blue stepped embroidery throughout, and sleeves have yellow diamond embroidery throughout; black solid collar; light blue interior lining