Jinbaori
early 18th century
Medium
Wool, plain weave; fulled (gorofukuren); appliqué; edged with fur and silk, plain weave with secondary plain interlacings; lined with silk and gilt-paper strips, satin weave with plain interlacings of secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts; closure: wool plain weave, fulled; embroidered with silk cord; edged with silk and gilt-paper strips, plain weave; band of silk, plain oblique interlacing with attached wooden bead
Dimensions
85.7 × 69.8 cm (33 3/4 × 27 1/2 in.)
Classification
needlework - costume
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
228576
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Jinbaori were special coats worn by samurai, members of the Japanese warrior class. The garments were sleeveless and had a tall rear vent—to accommodate being layered over armor, while the wearer was on horseback. The potent graphics and high-contrast colors were meant to convey a message of strength from a distance. This striking example sends a powerful visual message in its depiction of breaking waves and flying spray, dramatically presented in silhouette in black and yellow, as well as in it...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...