Antique Japanese kesa, Buddhist monk's traditional outer garment. Made from rich fragments of silk donated by wealthy devotees, kesa are traditionally made of square and rectangular swatches of material symbolizing the Buddha's patchwork garments. In contrast with this idea is the material itself, made of fine woven silks. The textile that makes up this kesa is woven with a multi color design of flowers with squares of a different silk woven with swirling clouds.

Edo Period



Dimensions: 62 1/2" long x 35" high