Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Penglai

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Symbols from Chinese lore, present in Japanese art since ancient times, converge in the decoration of this outer robe. The crane and tortoise are emblematic of longevity, an auspicious theme for a robe worn on formal occasions, primarily during weddings. When the animals are shown on rocky islands amid waves, as here, they signify Mount Penglai (or Hōrai in Japanese), a realm of the immortals believed to lie off the southeast coast of China. The bamboo plants, evergreen pine boughs, and plum flowers—beloved as the first to bloom each year—constitute the mythic islands’ “Three Friends of Winter,” another emblem of endurance that augments the favorable symbolism. Most likely this white robe was a part of a set of three that would have included red and black versions as well.

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