Piece
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Silk / Compound weave
Dimensions
5 1/2 × 1 1/4 in. (14 × 3.2 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Kihei Hattori, in memory of his father, Kihei Hattori, 1920
Accession Number
20.148.215
Art Historical Context
This delicate silk fragment, woven in the 18th century Japan's Edo period (16151868), exemplifies the craftsmanship of the era's textile artisans. Measuring just 5½ × 1¼ inches, this narrow "piece" likely served as a sample or remnant from a larger garment, such as a kimono sash or obi, reflecting the period's booming silk industry centered in Nishijin, Kyoto. The Edo era was a time of relative peace and economic growth, fostering vibrant urban culture where luxurious fabrics became symbols of status and artistry. Crafted using a compound weave technique, the textile features multiple warp an...