Outer Robe (Uchikake) with Mount Penglai

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The legendary isle of the immortals, located in the eastern seas according to ancient Chinese legend, is called Mount Penglai. In Japan, where it is called Hōrai, it was frequently represented as a gathering of cranes and tortoises in a bright landscape dominated by pine, plum, and bamboo. An auspicious theme, it was often used, as here, for bridal garments. This lined silk robe, or uchikake, with a wadded hem was meant to be worn as an outer garment, without a sash. It displays a wealth of motifs symbolizing good fortune, steadfastness, and longevity, including the Three Friends of Winter—plum blossoms, pine, and bamboo—cranes and long-tailed tortoises, and chrysanthemums of different colors.

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