The Art of Fashion | 17th–19th century
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Kimono (Kosode) with Autumn Grasses, Hand-painted by Ogata Kōrin, Edo period, 18th century (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 10
October 3, 2023 (Tue) - December 3, 2023 (Sun)Japan's traditional clothing, kimono, are based on kosode — the outer wear of the Edo period (1603–1868). At first, the court nobility and samurai wore under other clothing. But from about the 15th century, the samurai began using them as daily outer wear. In the 17th century, kosode became the most common clothing for men and women of all classes.
Wealthy women placed orders for custom–made kosode at luxury clothing stores. They often chose the patterns from clothing–design books that were published and widely circulated. Together with these kosode, they wore hairpins and combs to accent their elaborate hairstyles.
In contrast, men wore kosode with understated patterns like stripes or checks.
Their usual fashion accessory was a small case (inrō) and a toggle (netsuke) for securing the case to the sash. This gallery features kosode and accessories, together with prints and paintings (ukiyo–e) showing how people wore them and how fashions changed over time.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Kimono ("Kosode") with Autumn Grasses | Hand-painted by Ogata Kōrin | Edo period, 18th century | I-721 | ||
| Illustrated Copy of "Kimono ("Kosode") with Autumn Grasses" | Edo period, 1839 | I-721-2 | |||||
| Highlight | Kimono ("Kosode") with Weeping Maples and Hats | Edo period, 18th century | I-2923 | ||||
| Highlight | Kimono ("Kosode") with a Landscape of Streams and Pavilions | Edo period, 18th century | I-2929 | ||||
| Kimono ("Kosode") with the Eight Views of Ōmi | Edo period, 18th century | I-3932 | |||||
| Highlight | Case ("Inrō") with Small Crests | Edo period, 19th century | H-199 |