Two Kosode Fragments
Unknown Artist
second half of the 17th century
Medium
Ground of purple satin damask (rinzu)
Dimensions
A: H. 48 7/16 in. (123 cm); W. 14 5/16 in. (36.4 cm) B: H. 16 7/16 in. (41.7 cm); W. 12 11/16 in. (32.3 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Dyed
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Roy R. and Marie S. Neuberger Foundation Inc. and several members of The Chairman's Council Gifts, 2000 Benefit Fund, and funds from various donors, 2001
Accession Number
2001.428.2a, b
Art Historical Context
These exquisite *Two Kosode Fragments* from Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), specifically the second half of the17th century—a time of relative peace and prosperity that fueled a boom in lavish textiles and fashion. Kosode, the precursor to the modern kimono, were-sleeved robes initially worn as undergarments but increasingly as outerwear for the elite, adorned with intricate patterns symbolizing status and taste. These fragments, preserved from what were once vibrant garments, offer a glimpse into everyday luxury during the early Genroku era, when urban culture in cities like Edo (modern Tokyo...