Collection
Chōken Outer Robe
| Chōken Outer Robe |
| Take (length) 122.5 cm, yuki-take (from neck center to sleeve end) 107.0 cm; Edo period, 19th century; Gift of the Ii Family |
A chōken is an outer robe worn primarily by female characters for dances, with the main designs on the back and sleeves. This example is one of a pair worn for the Futari Shizuka (Two Shizukas) dance by the ghost of Shizuka Gozen and a servant girl possessed by the ghost, set in early spring in the mountains of Yoshino. The lavish design of cascading flowers and flowing water in gold thread captures the delights of the celebrated springtime Yoshino landscape.
