Kesa: Japanese Buddhist Monks’ Vestments

The Art Institute’s Department of Textiles is fortunate to own a large collection, some 200 in all, of kesa, the rectangular or trapezoidal outer garment traditionally worn by Buddhist monks and priests in Japan. The textiles have been mostly acquired over the years by donations from various private collectors, but the largest group and many of the most significant pieces came from the collection of Ralph and Mary Hays in 2004. Although a few examples of our kesa have been displayed in the past, this is the first exhibition at the Art Institute to present an overview of this distinctive group of textiles. Read more.

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Kesa (mid-/late 18th century), Japan, Edo period. Gift of Gaylord Donnelley in memory of Frances Gaylord Smith

Kesa (detail; mid-/late 18th century), Japan, Edo period. Gift of Gaylord Donnelley in memory of Frances Gaylord Smith

Kesa (1800/68), Japan, late Edo period. The Art Institute of Chicago. Gift of Ralph E. Hays in memory of Mary Van Artsdalen Hays

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