Uchikake (Outer garment), Pine, bamboo, plum tree, crane, and tortoise design on white figured satin ground 掻取 白綸子地松竹梅鶴亀模様かいどり しろりんずじしょうちくばいつるかめもよう

Description

Uchikake are kimono worn on formal occasions. They are still worn by brides at wedding ceremonies today. It is believed that this uchikake was the bridal costume of a woman from the Edo-period warrior class. Fine gold and silk threads are lavishly embroidered over glossy white figured satin ground. Also known as a sonui, this kind of uchikake symbolizes high status. The garment was originally furnished with a padded cotton lining around the hem, but this fuki, as it was known, has since been removed.

Stalks of bamboo rise straight up the garment's surface. These are surrounded by a number of auspicious motifs such as flowing water, tortoises and cranes, for instance, and pine, bamboo and plum trees. This is just the kind of gorgeous garb a bride could wear for her wedding.