Buddhist Priest's Robe (Kesa) with Pattern of Swallows among Willow Branches

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The textile used for the body of this seven-sectioned kesa features a lively design of swallows among willow branches on a reverse-swastika fret background (the reverse-swastika is a symbol of infinity in Buddhist thought). The kesa’s corner and central patches are made from a contrasting fabric patterned with pine boughs on a gold ground. The long floating pattern wefts seen on the surface of both examples are characteristic of karaori, which also lends its name to Noh costumes made of this type of textile. The border of a kesa usually is continuous; piecing in the border here is an indication that the textile used for this kesa was not woven specifically to be sewn into a vestment and may once have been a Noh robe or other garment. Treasured textiles and items of clothing often were given to temples for use as vestments and altar cloths.

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