Dragon Robe

Court robe of dark blue gauze embroidered in needlepoint, couched, and stem stitch. Nine 5-clawed dragons in gold. In the ground loose clouds, cranes, bats with double-peach, swastikas, and Buddhist symbols in shades of blue, green, yellow, red, peach, pink, olive green, and purple. Note appearance of purple in this robe. Conventional border of straight-edged slanting stripes; tight clouds; rolling waves among which appear Buddhist symbols. Below border on sleeves a strip of dark blue gauze with medallion in self color. No cuffs, collar band of darker blue gauze embroidered with body motifs and edged with brown and gold brocade. Robe unlined, but faced with bands of the embroidered gauze. Lower sleeve lined with ecru gauze, self-patterned in medallions.