Embroidered Kosode.  Bunka of, Edo period (1804-1818), Japan.  A rare silk uchikake featuring much f

Embroidered Kosode.  Bunka of, Edo period (1804-1818), Japan.  A rare silk uchikake featuring much finely silk and gold-metallic embroidered wisteria, peonies, tatewaku (serpentine line) motifs, as well as stenciled imitation tie-dyeing (kata kanoko). The red background color was created from the benibana (safflower), indicating that this kimono was commissioned by the samurai or nobility class, as it’s use was very expensive and restricted. This is the only extant example of this style we have come across that is not in a museum. The other several examples are found in Japanese museums: there is an example found in the Tokyo National Museum (as described in the volume “When Art Became Fashion”, catalogue 48, p 257); and p 4 of Japanese Kimono Designs of the Nomura Collection. -- source link

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