Buddhist Surplice (Kesa)
Unknown Artist
early 1900s
Medium
silk with supplementary weft, brocaded; metal thread
Dimensions
{"average":{"height":1.169,"width":1.93}}
Classification
Garment
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1916.1338
About this artwork
The kesa is a Buddhist monk’s vestment worn folded and draped over one shoulder, and fastened over the chest. In keeping with the austere conditions of monastic life, kesa were traditionally fashioned from remainders of donated garments sewn together into a series of columns. The wider, central column symbolizes the Buddha. The squares with golden roundels in each corner represent the deities who guard the four directions, while the two at the top on either side of the central column symbolize a...