Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Japanese Buddhist Monk Priest 7 Column Silk Brocade Kesa Ceremonial Temple Robe

About the Item

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 are rarely seen available in the secondary markets with all their attachments complete and intact. This piece still retains its original chords, tassels, etc. thus it is quite scarce and rare in this respect. This Kesa likely dates to the early to mid-Showa Period. It is a very large and quite hefty work. Would be a great addition to any Japanese/ Asian artifacts or Buddhist art collection or eye-catching stand-alone work in any setting - especially if framed for display. Approximate dimensions: 44.5" High, 89.5" Wide.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 44.5 in (113.03 cm)Width: 89.5 in (227.33 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
  • Style:
    Showa (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Mid-Later 1900s
  • Condition:
    In very good to excellent vintage condition (please see photos). Quite unique and special overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254328509152

More From This Seller

View All
Japanese Edo Buddhist Monk Priest 7 Column Silk Brocade Kesa Ceremonial Robe
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, brightly coloured and somewhat rare fully intact Japanese Buddhist monk/ priest's Kesa ceremonial silk robe. 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

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Textiles

Materials

Textile, Brocade, Silk

Japanese Wood Gilt Lacquer Buddha Buddhist Temple Traveling Zushi Shrine Altar
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful Japanese Buddhist portable traveling zushi shrine altar with Amida Buddha (Amitabha) concealed inside the folded wood doors. This work dat...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal, Gold Leaf

Japanese Asian Oshie Pressed Textile Old Monk Framed Shadow Puppet Doll
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, handcrafted work of a Japanese monk/ old man doll shadow puppet who appears to be making an offering of some sort. Oshie, which translat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Textile, Linen, Acrylic, Wood

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Wood Beads Mala Rosary Necklace
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful string of Japanese hand-crafted Buddhist Juzu mala beads made of natural wood. These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers/ritua...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Wood Beads Mala Rosary Necklace
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful string of Japanese hand-crafted Buddhist Juzu mala beads made of natural wood. These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist mon...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Signed Stamped Hand Drawn Silk Obi Sash Belt with Crow, Mid-1900
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful handmade vintage silk Obi sash/ belt featuring a rather unique hand-drawn scene with a crow and trees. Signed and stamped by the artist...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Textiles

Materials

Silk

You May Also Like

Antique Japanese Brocade Monk's Robe Kesa Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive elaborat...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Brocade, Silk

Magnificent Antique Japanese Woven Brocade Kesa Monk's Robe Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades with luxuriant golden threads. Dated to late 19th century of Meiji Period, the elaborate woven motifs on this kesa feature repetitive roundels dragon and phoenix intermixed with peonies and chrysanthemum blossoms. Two shades of contrasting gold threads were used on a striking purplish-blue background, with a dark metallic thread for the outer border and a brighter thread for the main body. The brilliantly woven fabric was possibly recycled from Noh costumes...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Brocade, Silk

Antique Brocade Kesa Monk's Patched Robe Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
Kesa, known as "Jiasha" in Chinese and "Kasaya" in Sanskrit, is an out layer garment worn by the ordained Buddhist monks. Bearing a basic rectangular form, it developed originally in...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Textiles

Materials

Textile, Brocade

Antique Japanese Embroidered Silk Kesa Monk's Robe Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of fine shimmering silk fabric of a salmon orange color, the shade of which changed subtly from different a...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Textiles

Materials

Brocade, Silk

Antique Framed Japanese Silk Kesa Monk's Robe Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of brocades set within a border of the same material. The brocade was woven from a subtle color palette of ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Textiles

Materials

Brocade, Silk

Antique Silk Kesa Monk's Patched Robe Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
Kesa, known as "Jiasha" in Chinese and "Kasaya" in Sanskrit, is an out-layer garment worn by the ordained Buddhist monks. Bearing a basic rectangular form, it developed originally in...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Textile, Brocade

Recently Viewed

View All