This rinzu silk haori features stylized cherry blossoms (sakura) rendered in a vibrant palette of sage green, golden yellow, and cream against a rich burgundy damask ground, with flowing ribbon-like elements that create dynamic movement across the surface. The combination of kata-yuzen stencil dyeing for the floral motifs and silkscreening to simulate kanoko shibori dots demonstrates the period's embrace of hybrid techniques that could achieve the aesthetic effects of labor-intensive traditional methods while meeting the demands of increased textile production during Japan's rapid modernization.
The cherry blossom motifs carry profound symbolic weight in Japanese culture, representing the ephemeral nature of life, beauty, and the poignant awareness of mortality that underlies much of Japanese aesthetic philosophy. The stylized, almost Art Deco-influenced rendering of these blooms reflects the period's artistic confidence in reinterpreting classical motifs through contemporary design sensibilities. The flowing ribbon elements suggest both the literal cherry blossom petals carried on spring winds and the more abstract concept of time's passage, while the faux kanoko dots add textural interest and reference the prestigious shibori traditions without the associated cost and time investment.
In very good condition, the apparent smudges within the white flowers are actually intentional design elements. It measures 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 35 inches (89 cm) tall.