Meiji (19th century) uchikake, embroidered with a sho-chiku-bai design (the “winter trinity” of pine, bamboo, and plum), an auspicious motif because of its association with long life and rebirth of life after the winter. This uchikake is not a wedding kimono; the short sleeves mean that it belonged to a married woman, and the crests on the shoulders and centre back mean that it was a formal robe.

It may have started out as a long-sleeved wedding outfit and then had the sleeves shortened for use by the owner after her wedding. Woven Nishijin uchikake, with cranes, mandarin ducks (check out the right sleeve), and a design suitable for any season with plum blossoms (winter), cherry blossoms (spring), iris and running water (summer), and chrysanthemums (autumn); it has a five-layered trim on the sleeves and hem, imitating the traditional juni hitoe garment worn by royal brides. Woven Nishijin uchikake, with a design of cherry blossom branches and peonies (spring), chrysanthemums and grasses (autumn), and cranes, symbolic of long life.