| 介绍（英） | The legendary isle of the immortals, located in the eastern seas according to ancient Chinese legend, is called Mount Penglai (Hōrai in Japanese). In Japanese art, it was frequently represented as a gathering of cranes and tortoises in a bright landscape dominated by pine, plum, and bamboo. An auspicious theme, it was often used, as here, for bridal garments. This lined silk robe, or uchikake, with a wadded hem was meant to be worn as an outer garment, without a sash. It displays a wealth of motifs symbolizing good fortune, steadfastness, and longevity, including the Three Friends of Winter—plum blossoms, pine, and bamboo—cranes and long-tailed tortoises, and chrysanthemums of different colors. It also represents a moment of transition in Japanese textile art, when Edo-period motifs and themes were being kept alive but reformulated. The garment’s seemingly random scattering of design elements reflect mid-19th century changes induced by the arrival of Westerners. |