Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION: Brilliant young Boy's Informal Kimono intended for wearing at home or play. It is an incredible display of the wealth and status of this family that a young boy could have worn such a magnificent, hand painted Kimono for informal occasions. The scene comes from the Kabuki Play, "Mochizuki," which is the story of a vengeance told by the spirits of the victim's wife and son. The presentations were written centuries ago and were performed by actors and musicians who were as famous as movie stars today. The costume most prominently features a hat that resembles a bird (here that is even more dramatically portrayed), brilliantly exotic dress and masks. Here the actor is playing the hour glass shaped "Tsuzumi" Drum while other common instruments were the multi-reed "Sho" pipe, and "Koto" or precursor of the zither. The setting is significant with the Red Torii Gates of the Itsukushima Shrine reflected in the Inland Sea where they mark the entrance to 1 of Japan's 3 great scenic beauties, Miyajima, with its magnificent Pine or "Matsu" representing long life and the small deer that are famous for roaming the Island.

The woven Silk background of this Kimono is a geometrically patterned weave of "Braided Bamboo" or "Take" in an overall bold design. The pale celery green background at the top of the Kimono deepens to deepest indigo on the bottom of the garment which is one of the most difficult forms of dying. It is obvious that this Kimono could only have belonged to a young man of high social standing and wealth.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: Informal Boy's Kimono

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Early Taisho Era (1913 - 1926)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: The design was created through the Rice Paste Resist technique which required that each individual color be applied separately, while all the remaining colors must first be painted out in the rice paste. This is an extraordinarily difficult, time consuming, labor intensive artistic process that often took months to accomplish. This extraordinary Kimono is of the highest quality and in excellent condition.

FINISHED SIZE: Typical Size for a Formal Child's Kimono would be approximately 34" across x 41" tall.

PRESENTATION: Fabulous artwork to be hung or framed; or, for an incredible occasion, to be worn.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $650

TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.