Over robe (uchikake) with snow-covered bamboo, narcissus, peonies, chrysanthemums, and crows

This elegant and somewhat unusual over robe’s bright red, figured satin-weave ground is decorated with a set of auspicious symbols. The painterly composition on the garment is executed in high-quality embroidery, suggesting that this exquisite uchikake likely was owned by an aristocratic lady. The design is a winter landscape, showing a bamboo grove covered in snow, while around the hem flowering narcissus, chrysanthemums, and peonies are depicted. The flowers seem to be protected by straw mat covers. Narcissus is associated with early spring, peonies bloom later in the spring, but there are winter versions as well. Crows are rarely represented on kimonos; however, in the Edo period, they symbolized rebirth and rejuvenation and were considered wise birds. The depiction of crows in a winter setting was a popular motif in painting and ukiyo-e compositions, continuing well into the twentieth century. The dramatic contrast of the red ground fabric, black birds, and white snowflakes make this robe vivid and eye-catching and very modern looking.