Kimono

Subject Matter:

The floral design consists of a mix of fall and winter flowers and trees: nandin on the left sleeve, plum, chrysanthemums, thistle, amaranths, camellias and narcissus on the front and back, and  makino (Chloranthus glaber with red berries) and more camellias on the right sleeve.

Chirimen refers to the unique wrinkled texture, also called crepe texture, created by a specific weaving technique. This texture is often used with traditional Japanese fabrics, often silk, wool, or synthetic fiber.

Houmongi is a semi-formal kimono that can be worn by both married and single women for social events. It is called second-class formal wear.

Houmongi is created by a patterning method called “Eba:” the pattern is dyed in such a way that it creates an unbroken design across the seams when the kimono is sewn together.

Rouketsu is hand-painted wax-resist dyeing technique, also known as batique.

In this exuberant kimono, Minagawa Gekka took great advantage of the wide, flat surface of the kimono, effectively treating it as a canvas on which to depict flowers blooming in profusion. Due to the sheer profusion of auspicious winter flowers, it is possible that this kimono was commissioned for a New Year’s celebration.

Physical Description:

Lavender and white chirimen Houmongi kimono with rouketsu dyed scale patterns and tegaki (hand-painted) white, red, pale blue and green floral patterning with metallic contour embroidery with a purple and white gradated lining? The kimono has elongated sleeves and one kamon (family crest) on the back neck.

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