Robe with Tanzaku and Shikishi Poem Cards

Unknown artist

The bluish-grey crepe silk kimono is decorated with colorful poem cards along the hem. The cards—elongated tanzaku and square shikishi—are depicted as an impressive collection that has just been scattered in front of someone to make a selection. Some bear inscriptions in a wide variety of calligraphic styles, while others are uninscribed. Still others are depicted upside down. The poem cards display a wide variety of motifs, including flowers, maple leaves, waves, or pine needles, in imitation of actual cards. Some are embellished with gold flakes, replicating the decoration of the elegant calligraphy papers.