The Japanese word kesa (袈裟) is derived from the Sanskrit term kasaya, meaning “dark colored,” a reference to the yellowish-brown robes worn by early Indian Buddhist monks and the brownish robes worn by female monastics. Since the lay community traditionally dressed in white, the dark color represented the renunciation of the householder life. The original kasaya were single-layer garments stitched together by the monks from rags and discarded clothing of laypeople and then dyed using roots, bark, flowers, and twigs, particularly that of the jackfruit tree. The dark color and patched structure distinguished the early Buddhist community and deterred theft of the garments since they were easily recognizable. This sumptuous Kesa features peonies in red, white, and purple peonies against and dark orange background. Provenance: Mobile Museum of Art, donated 1974. 79 1/2 in. x 46 3/4 in Some damages areas.