This opulent textile originates from Japan’s mid-Showa period (1950–1970) and was originally a primary decorative component of an uchikake (formal wedding kimono). Measuring 15 inches by 77 inches (38 cm x 196 cm), the panel is in excellent condition and represents a peak of post-war luxury textile production. The design is set against a luminous cream silk ground, which provides a neutral stage for the dense application of card gilding and intricate needlework.
The visual narrative is centered on the goshoguruma (imperial carriage), a classical motif symbolizing nobility and auspicious beginnings. The carriage is rendered with extraordinary detail using silver embroidery and metallic couching, while its wheel is highlighted in bold vermilion and black. Surrounding the central carriage is a lavish field of gold leaf squares—applied via card gilding—that creates a shimmering, mosaic-like effect across the silk surface. Long, trailing gold cords and delicate satin-stitch embroidery in soft greens and reds further enhance the three-dimensional, high-prestige aesthetic required for traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies.