This boy's silk kimono presents a sophisticated composition of traditional Japanese objects arranged in a bold checkerboard pattern that alternates between deep navy blue and cream-colored geometric triangular fields. The textile showcases an array of elegantly rendered motifs including bunko (decorative stationery boxes), gunpai (ceremonial referee fans), and various other objects of scholarly and cultural refinement, all executed through the precise silkscreen printing technique that had become increasingly popular during this era. The bunko boxes are particularly exquisite, depicted with intricate floral designs including cherry blossoms and other seasonal flowers in soft purples, blues, and greens, while braided silk cords (obijime) wind gracefully around and between the objects, creating visual continuity across the composition.
The design philosophy reflects the Japanese aesthetic concept of mono no aware—an appreciation for the beauty of refined objects and cultural artifacts—while the choice of motifs suggests aspirations for scholarly achievement and cultural sophistication appropriate for a young boy's formal wear. The alternating geometric background pattern demonstrates the influence of modernist design principles that were permeating Japanese decorative arts during the period (early Showa), creating a dynamic tension between traditional figurative elements and contemporary abstract patterning. This juxtaposition of classical objects against bold geometric fields reflects the broader cultural moment of the Taisho and early Showa periods, when Japan was actively synthesizing traditional aesthetics with international modernist influences. The sophisticated color palette of navy, cream, purple, and sage green, combined with the precise rendering possible through silkscreen technology, creates a garment that embodies both the continuity of Japanese cultural values and the technical innovations of early 20th-century textile production.
Measuring 31 inches (79 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 38 inches (97 cm) tall.