Kamishimo suit of overvest (kataginu) and trousers (hakama)
Not on view
This suit (nagakamishimo) bears the crest of the main branch of the Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan during the Edo period. At that time samurai wore as formal attire suits such as this one, consisting of an overvest and long trousers usually made of cloth with a restrained pattern. The trousers, which are so long that they extend beyond the foot, would trail along behind the wearer as he walked, creating an impression of great dignity.
The very small pattern of dots on this nagakamishimo, referred to as ray skin or sharkskin, was used for samurai garments and is also seen in the stencil shown here.
No image available
