Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and Waterwheels

Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and Waterwheels

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The elements of the multicolored design of this textile—sinuous streams, reeds, fishing nets, chrysanthemums, and waterwheels—remain clearly recognizable on its now-faded red background. Buddhist vestments were usually made from donated garments or other textiles that were cut into pieces and assembled into patchwork configurations. This kesa consists of a type of cloth called karaori, in which parts of the design are brocaded in long, floating silk wefts of many colors. The same kind of cloth was used for the type of Noh costume also called a karaori, usually worn as an outer robe for a female role.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Buddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and WaterwheelsBuddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and WaterwheelsBuddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and WaterwheelsBuddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and WaterwheelsBuddhist Vestment (Kesa) with Pattern of Flowing Water, Chrysanthemums, Fishing Nets, and Waterwheels

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.