Over Robe (Uchikake) with Fans and Flowers

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

High-ranking samurai women wore luxurious uchikake like this one in the late Edo period. The distinguishing characteristics of this type of robe are color and pattern. Usually arrayed on a red or white ground, various floral patterns alternate in a blocklike layout with a nonfloral pattern, such as stylized waves, key-fret patterns, or fans (as here). On this robe, chrysanthemums, peonies, and cascading wisteria mingle with colorful butterflies executed in kanoko tiedye and silk and metallic-thread embroidery. The damask ground is embellished with more chrysanthemums and a geometric key-fret pattern.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art