Kimekomi Doll Mikushige Heian Period Court Attire

Thank you for viewing. This Doll is inspired by Oborozukiyo, one of the beautiful women who appear in The Tale of Genji.

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#Mikushigedono
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Oborozukiyo was the sixth daughter of the Minister of the Right and a sister of Empress Kōkiden. She was favored by Emperor Suzaku during his time as Crown Prince and was expected to enter the palace. However, she met Hikaru Genji at a cherry blossom banquet, and they began a secret affair. Her father, the Minister of the Right, learned of this and canceled her entry into the palace. Mikushigedono was a place within the Imperial Palace where the Emperor's clothing was sewn, and Oborozukiyo served as the head of Mikushigedono (chief lady-in-waiting).

Mikushigedono refers to the place where ladies-in-waiting sewed clothes in the imperial harem during the Heian period. It was located within the Jōgan-den palace and was responsible for sewing and procuring attire other than that made by the Kuraryō (Bureau of the Treasury). It could also refer to the place where attire was sewn and procured in the homes of nobles. The head of the ladies-in-waiting serving in Mikushigedono was called the Betto of Mikushigedono, and it was generally held by a high-ranking lady-in-waiting. From the time of Emperor Reizei, they often became consorts to the Emperor or Crown Prince.