Terms and Conditions
The artist, title and date of the work must be listed anywhere the image is reproduced:
Japanese
Men’s undergarment (nagajuban) with graveyard, skulls and crescent moon c. 1930
silk, wool, cotton
127.0 cm (centre back) 130.5 cm (cuff to cuff)
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Maureen Morrisey Bequest, 2018
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Where possible, the image must be reproduced in full (no cropping or over-printing). If you wish to use a detail of the work, a full reproduction of the work must also be reproduced elsewhere in the publication.
While the NGV believes this work to be in the Public Domain, it is the responsibility of the publisher to ensure that no further permissions are required for use.
For a complete list of terms and condition of use see the National Gallery of Victoria’s copyright policy.
About this work
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.