A SILK EMBROIDERED UCHIKAKE
Japan, first half of the 20th century

White ground, the very rich embroidered decoration in white, various tones of pink and silver consisting of birds, a cart, baskets and flowers, the inner lining in red silk.

Provenance: Italian private collection.


The uchikake is a formal dress for women in use in Japan since the Muromachi period, used as a sort of overcoat and therefore not tied at the waist with the obi belt. Its most evident features are the wide sleeves (furisode) and the height, which often turns into a sort of train of great elegance. Since the beginning of the twentieth century it is mainly used for some theatrical roles and on the occasion of weddings, for which the white color was preferred.