Japanese woodcut, ink, paper, 26x17 cm (paper size), text in Japanese
The woodcut is from the encyclopedic series Kojitsu Sosho Reifuku Chakuyo-zu (translated as Wearing ceremonial garb), published in 1903 (Meiji 36) in Tokyo. The author of the woodcuts was Kosugi Unson, and the publisher was Yoshikawa Hansichi. Reifuku Chakuyo Zu is an outstanding illustrative work depicting details of ceremonial attire worn at the Japanese court. The theoretical foundation for the illustrations was laid by philosopher Imaizumi Sadasuke (1863-1944), a scholar of the Kokugaku movement who emphasized Japanese classical studies.
The woodcut depicts the formal attire worn by court officials of early imperial Japan. Court attire was exceptionally ornate for those holding court rank and official positions. It consisted of colorful fabrics and accessories such as waragutsu (straw shoes), ogi (folding fan), and kanmuri (a tall black lacquered silk gauze hat worn by Shinto clergy, aristocrats and courtiers).
Kachie sugata is the uniform of imperial guards on duty. The name comes from the kachie, which is the main item of clothing. The shoes are either cloth/hemp boots, such as makai, or straw shoes (waragutsu). The sword worn is often a tachi kenukigata or black-framed tachi, as well as a bow, quiver and arrows. The costumes of high officers were made of the highest quality elaborately decorated fabrics. Military weapons, including the katana (curved sword) or tachi (traditional sword), were included in the equipment.
