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Greetings from Historic Heritage Square!

For information please call 602-262-5070

Welcome to the

Rosson House Museum Uchikake Exhibit

Now showing through March 4th, 2007 with regular Rosson House tour admission

1) Red with stylized couching mums and cranes • The unique feature of these embroidered chrysanthemum spotlights a technique called couching or “shushu”, which is gold or silver metallic yarns placed side by side to create the stylized design.  The fabric is of red heavier gage silk which is needed to hold the weight of the design. The geometric design in the background came to Japan from India and China during the Momoyama Era and the Edo Era (17th Century), and is used as background pattern for kimono fabrics.

2) Green with Heron and origami crane • The season depicted for this Uchikake is winter, because of the snow on the pine trees, the plum blossom in bloom and the red color of the maple leaf and bamboo leaf. This Uchikake is adorned with the heron and the crane shown in origami. On loan from Leilani Ito.

3) Gold Surihaku Uchikake with guruma and tsuru • The unusual design on this Uchikake, suggest that it was inspired for Noh theatre. The background fabric is gold metallic leaf pressed or painted with a technique called “surihaku”. The two different style of carts on this Uchikake are the “goshu guruma” and the “hana guruma”. The goshu guruma is for transporting people of rank and the hana guruma is for flowers. On loan from Leilani Ito.

4) 1880s Uchikake • This Uchikake dates back to circa 1880. The fabric is woven silk-satin with metallic gold leaf painted or pressed to create the design of the crane, chrysanthemum, and turtle pattern. The special sixteen petal chrysanthemum, or “kiku”, design on this Uchikake is the official crest of the Imperial family. It is said that only members of the Imperial family are to have garments with this chrysanthemum crest. The octagonal pattern represents the turtle, which symbolizes longevity and the crane or “tsuru” for happiness. On loan from Robin McCord.

5) Red Fan Uchikake • Featured motifs are fans filled with woven and embroidered designs of Chrysanthemum, pine, crane, and maple leaf. The open fan beckons happiness. A bundle of “noshi” is also found on this red silk file Uchikake. Noshi is a bundle of ribbons tied together which signify celebration or happy occasion. The most unusual feature of this Uchikake is the shibori, tye dye, fabric which has been appliquéd on to the fan. The patterns of water, streams, puddles suggests this Uchikake was made to be worn in the fall rainy season. On loan from Dr. Robin McCord.

6) Creme with fan and mums on a guruma • Designed of embroidered gold and silver chrysanthemums on a flower cart called a “hana guruma”, which signifies celebration and happiness. The design on the fan depict the shape of a turtle, which symbolizes long life. The fan means the fulfillment of future happiness. The wheels on the cart are embroidered couching. On loan from Miyuki Kagaya

7) Creme with Crane Uchikake • The crème colored fabric and red lining is a summer weight, which implies this Uchikake was made for a summer wedding. The background patterns and designs have been painted and pressed with gold leaf with a technique called “Surihaku”. The impressive crane motif has been embroidered with several layers and colors of gold and silver for a three-dimentional effect. On loan from Leilani Ito.

8) Red with Crane and Pine Uchikake • Used in Japanese classical dance for the Kabuki theatre. The outer fabric is silk-satin and the lining is of smooth red silk called “habutae”. The design is embroidered cranes in flight over appliquéd stylized pine trees. Cranes mate for life and because the pine is evergreen throughout the four seasons, these motifs symbolized happiness and good luck. On loan from Leilani Ito.  

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