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Kashira with Weaving Maiden (Jp. "Orihime") and the Shepard (Jp. "Hikoboshi")
(Japanese Military Armor)
This kashira shows the yearly meeting of the celestial lovers the Weaving Maiden (Jp. "Orihime") and the Shepard (Jp. "Hikoboshi"). They are the stars Vega and Altair. Because they neglected their work when they were together, the Weaving Maiden's father, the King of Heaven, decreed that they could only meet across the River of Heaven (i.e. the Milky Way) once a year. Their meeting is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month with a festival called Tanabata. The Weaving Maiden is shown at the upper left with spinning tools. The Shepard is shown with an ox on the lower right. This is part of a set with Walters 51.1090.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm) (l.)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.1091
