Embroidered Silk Wedding Kimono with Plum Cranes and Chrysanthemums

A rare find, this embroidered wedding robe (called a uchikake) was worn by a Japanese bride over 80 years ago, and is a testament to hours of patience and work. With each careful stitch, the beautifully vibrant plum and lime colored cranes become a wish for happiness and eternal youth. The lengths of creamy white silk have a subtle chrysanthemum pattern—the flower is a symbol of longevity.