This silk kimono has a foundation consisting of rinzu damask silk woven with the classical sayagata motif—an interlocking geometric pattern of diagonal lines forming continuous swastikas that symbolizes prosperity and good fortune in Buddhist tradition. This ancient pattern, with its origins in Chinese Han dynasty textiles, provides a subtle textural ground that catches light at different angles, creating depth and richness beneath the more prominent surface decoration.
The silk-screened bamboo stalks overlay this damask foundation in a bold diagonal lattice pattern executed in golden yellow and cream against the rich purple ground. Bamboo carries profound symbolic meaning in East Asian culture, representing resilience, flexibility, and moral integrity—qualities that bend but do not break under pressure. The stylized rendering of the bamboo joints and segments reflects the period's movement toward more geometric interpretations of natural motifs, influenced by both Art Deco sensibilities and traditional Japanese design principles that emphasized simplified, essential forms over naturalistic representation.
The color palette of deep purple, gold, and cream represents a departure from more subdued traditional kimono colors, reflecting the increased Western influence and modernizing aesthetic preferences of Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. The combination of the ancient sayagata damask technique with contemporary silk-screening technology exemplifies how Japanese textile artists successfully integrated traditional craftsmanship with industrial innovation. This technical hybrid approach allowed for the production of garments that maintained cultural authenticity while embracing the efficiency and bold graphic possibilities of modern printing methods, creating textiles that were both deeply rooted in tradition and thoroughly contemporary in their visual impact.
It measures 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve end to sleeve-end and stands at 55 inches (140 cm) tall.