COURT ATTIRE.

Illustrated handscroll on paper, entitled in manuscript on outside “Shōjiku (?) no mo. Yamana nushi” 奨竺之模. 山名 主 [“Copy of Shōjiku. Head of the Yamana Clan”].

Ca. 122 fine brush & wash illus. in many delicate colors, including gold pigment. Scroll on thin paper (272 x 1980 mm.), wooden core roller. [Japan]: at end of scroll in trans.: “Early Winter 1859 [copied by] Yamana [Maeda] Tsuranari 山名[前田]貫業.”

A beautiful manuscript, depicting ca. 122 images of court attire, mainly for males but with some costumes for women, copied by the artist and historian of court attire Yamana (b. 1838). Towards the beginning of our scroll is a Preface, dated 1726, signed by Kiyosu Yukinobu 清須幸信, describing the tradition of Heian-era to early Edo styles of court attire. He discusses the appropriate garb for each of the many occasions and ranks.

Illustrated are costumes of the emperor and members of the court to be worn at the most formal ceremonies and religious events, including headgear, belts, jackets, trousers, inner wear, trains, socks, shoes, fans, jewelry, and scepters. The depictions of all these items are finely executed in rich colors, with delicate brushwork revealing the nuances of patterns. Also shown are the garments of the emperor “emeritus,” male and female aristocrats, and retainers. Manuscript labels give very poetic names to the patterns and also dimensions and details.

The numerous color illustrations are of very great complexity, detail, and beauty. Several exhibit the use of gold and thickened pigments to give a three-dimensional appearance.

In excellent fresh condition. Minor worming, mostly repaired. Preserved in a box.

Price: $5,500.00

Item ID: 11451