Kesa
Late 18th or early 19th century, Late Edo period (1789–1868)
Silk; satin damask and twill weaves with secondary binding warps and supplementary patterning wefts; stenciled silver foil
122 × 176.5 cm (48 × 69.5 in)
SEE IT IN PERSON
Not currently on view
In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026
Discussion
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Most of the kesa in this exhibition, as well as in the museum's collection, were made from multiple pieces of one fabric. Yet the patchwork nature of these examples is often difficult to discern, sometimes evident only from changes in pattern. This example, made for the Jodo sect, was made from two different fabrics and therefore has a very readable composition: the lattice is distinct from the squares forming each column.
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