uchikake (Kimono)

This uchikake (打掛) with short sleeves was likely used for stage performance such as kabuki. Uchikake (打掛) is a highly formal outer kimono and is worn only by a bride or at a stage performance. Uchikake is usually heavily brocaded and padded along the hem known as fuki (袘).

Purchased by donor from a Kyoto-based dealer in San Francisco.

Uchikake (打掛) made of black silk, heavily embroidered with metallic fibre made of gold-leaf-wrapped mulberry paper and other colourful threads. Designs include carts full of flowers of four seasons known as hanaguruma mon (花車文), butterflies and long vines. Scattered among these are thin horizontal rectangles as well as large squares, some containing flowers. The interior is fully lined with bright red fabric. The kimono is open at the front, with short paneled sleeves containing a small opening for the wrists at top outer corner. The garment’s bottom hem is thickened with stuffing known as fuki (袘).