Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, beautifully ornamented and somewhat rare fully intact Japanese Buddhist monk/ priest's Kesa ceremonial silk robe featuring various colorful birds in flight.
Kesa (which came from the Chinese word "kasaya") robes have been handmade/handstitched by monks/priests as an act of devotion as ceremonial robes for centuries in various Asian cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, etc.). The kesa is a rectangular garment designed to be worn over the left shoulder (see example image). The robes are made (often in a patchwork column pattern ranging from five, seven, nine or more pannels) specifically for fully ordained Buddhist monks, priests and nuns and are made from donations of exquisite textiles from wealthy patrons of Japanese Buddhist temples. The robes were used in daily ceremonies, temple gatherings, and private meditation.
Antique Kesa robes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Textile Textiles
MaterialsTextile, Brocade, Silk