Terms and conditions of use
Men’s undergarment (nagajuban) with graveyard, skulls and crescent moon
c. 1930
- Medium
- silk, wool, cotton
- Measurements
- 127.0 cm (centre back) 130.5 cm (cuff to cuff)
- Place/s of Execution
- Japan
- Accession Number
- 2017.1266
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Maureen Morrisey Bequest, 2018 - Gallery location
- Special Exhibitions Gallery
Ground Level, NGV International - About this work
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Nagajuban (long kimono undergarments) were concealed under outer kimono and often featured designs that revealed the wearer’s secret interests and playful spirit. Skulls in Japanese history are associated with the inevitable fate of humans and the Buddhist cycle of birth, life, death and reincarnation. In a humorous manner, skulls have been a popular motif for men’s garments, paintings and carved items. On this kimono and in the design sample book, we see a graveyard motif with skulls under a crescent moon.