EXTREMELY RARE EDO PERIOD SANKIN KOTAI ROBE

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Price: $825.00

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Item Number: 08-714

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Coarse very dark brown, near black, linen with three white woven mons, identified by Hawley as flowery diamond, of the Takeda family on the back. Of large cut made to fit over the armor. The Sankin Kotai was the annual pilgrimage which each feudal baron (daimyou) made from his castle to Edo. In order to maintain control, the Shogun required the lords' families (wives and children) to permanently reside in Edo virtually held hostage to control the conduct of the lord. The annual pilgrimage was made in armor covered by the Sankin Kotai robe. While war lords were often pictured in these robes (as in Japanese woodblock prints) surviving examples are exceedingly rare. This one dates to the Edo Period. Principle fabric sound with a few small wear holes to the back. Some moth damage to the wool mon. The fine silk lining tattered in places but complete. Together with two original accessory pieces including a large sporran like apron finely decorated with the mon and Chinese style ornamentation and a rigid rectangular band similarly decorated. Both with matching silk lining material to the backs. Incomparable quality of needlework. Another example from the same source and family, in our Spring 2006 catalog, was the first we have ever offered.