Accession Number
2005/1.382

Title
Formal gray crested kimono with embroidered designs of suzume odori figures dancing in the rain

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1970s - 1980s

Medium & Support
gray silk crepe with silk and metallic thread embroidery

Dimensions
60 1/4 in. x 53 1/8 in. ( 153 cm x 135 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Subject matter
The suzume odori (sparrow dance) is said to have first been performed by stonemasons building Sendai castle for daimyo Date Masamune. The Date family crest is composed of two sparrows, and the dance is said to have mimicked the movements of the bird.

Physical Description
Gray silk crepe (repp weave) shot through with metallic threads, with silk and metallic thread embroidered design of figures doing the suzume odori (crow dance) in the rain (suzume odori). Lining is plain weave silk, white above and gray below.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
kimono

Additional Object Classification(s)
Textile

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
birds (motifs)
dancing (activity)
embroidery (visual works)
kimonos
rain