Over Robe (Uchikake) with Long-Tailed Birds in a Landscape

This kimono is covered in hand embroidered designs of red birds, golden waterfalls, pine trees, and red cherry blossoms. It is also outfitted with a red trim along the bottom, as well as extra long sleeves. This kimono was likely worn by a young woman in the royal family. The motifs of cherry blossoms, water falls, and especially pine trees, would have been symbols of noblemen and would have carried extra cultural significance for members of the royal family. The red dye featured on the garment was also exclusively reserved for members of the royal family. Each design is embroidered onto the garment showing extreme skill and labor on behalf of the artist(s), and this effort, combined with the quality of materials, would have made the kimono exorbitantly expensive. The use of red on this garment is an immediate indicator of class, as safflower red only appeared on royal garments due to the implementation of sumptuary laws and furthered the cultural division of classes through fashion. Eva-Grace Petrie. Image from The Met Resources.