An Ohenrogi or Stamped Pilgrim's Coat: Hard Worn

early twentieth century
38 1/2" x 50", 98 cm x 127 cm

This visually powerful simple cotton pilgrim's kimono is a hand stitched from fairly lightweight cotton and shows a rather dramatic, large stamp on the center of the back of the piece.

It is the type of jacket worn by Buddhist pilgrims as they travel a prescribed pilgrimage route and as they make their way from one temple to the other along the route.

Often, especially in the old days, this pilgrimage was done on foot and was an arduous and time-consuming act of devotion.

Therefore coats such as these show a good deal of wear; this one shows deeply ingrained dirt, some stains and a rather prominent, horizontal line of loss through the black stamp on the back of the coat, illustrated on the detail photos attached.  Please be aware of these condition issues if you are considering acquiring this coat.

These areas of loss and wear make it clear that this garment was worn in the service of a pilgrimage and through this they imbue the coat with a kind of richness that is a record of an episode in someone's life.

The red colored stamps also indicate that temples were visited as a stamp was received from each temple the pilgrim prayed in.

The front of the coat shows beautifully elaborate black stamps: on the proper right is the Buddha in the midst of bodhisattvas; on the proper left we see an image of the Buddhist monk, Kukai, who founded the esoteric Shingon sect of Buddhism in Japan. Above him is a circle of bonji or a kind of Sanskrit Siddham script.

A richly stamped and heavily worn garment, it is one that has no doubt served its wearer well--and must have good vibes, which are especially important now.

Recommended.