Kesa with Rondels Containing Dragons

Kesa made of extraordinary fine and detailed kinran; with a design of rings there are connected. Each ring contains a pair of dragons facing each other against a celestial sky with cloudbands and pearls of wisdom in a symmetrical scheme. Kinran is a gilt paper based brocading technique, invented by the Chinese but then developed and perfected by the Japanese. Here the gilt paper covers most of the surface and creates a very reflective and shimmering effect. It also holds in place the blue silk ground which is a good thing as the ground is shattered in places and otherwise would not survive.