Uchishiki (Altar Cloth)
Edo period (1615–1868), 1801/25
Medium
Square piece of kinran, plain compound silk of orange-brown ground with pattern woven in gilded paper strips finely cut, representing chrysanthemum and peony scrolls, lined with white linen
Dimensions
66.7 × 67 cm (26 1/4 × 26 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11226
Art Historical Context
Step into the serene world of Edo-period Japan with this exquisite *Uchishiki (Altar Cloth)*, a square textile created around 1801–25. Measuring just over 66 cm on each side, this cloth was designed to adorn Buddhist altars, draping the space before sacred icons to create a reverent backdrop. During the Edo era (1615–1868), a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate, such textiles reflected Japan's mastery of opulent craftsmanship, blending spirituality with everyday devotion in homes and temples. Crafted from kinran—a prestigious plain compound silk with a...
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...