This miyamairi kimono presents a masterful interpretation of the takarabune motif through the refined yuzen painting technique. The composition unfolds dramatically across the garment's surface, depicting the mythical treasure ship navigating through stylized seascapes populated by auspicious cranes - themselves symbols of longevity and good fortune. The vessel is rendered with remarkable detail, its hull decorated with traditional patterns and crowned with billowing sails, while precious objects spill from its holds into the surrounding waters.

The artist has employed a sophisticated tonal palette that transitions from deep indigo-black in the upper register to pale, misty blues and creams in the middle section, creating an atmospheric sense of depth and movement. The lower portion returns to rich dark tones, where churning waves are depicted in the classical Japanese manner with characteristic spiral and foam patterns that echo the artistic vocabulary found in ukiyo-e prints. Small treasures - including what appears to be coral, geometric objects, and scrolls - are scattered throughout the composition, emphasizing the abundance and prosperity that the treasure ship brings.

The technical execution demonstrates the zenith of yuzen artistry, with subtle gradations and painterly effects enhanced by strategic embroidery highlights that add dimensional richness to key elements. This ceremonial garment embodies the Taisho period's aesthetic synthesis, maintaining traditional Japanese symbolic language while incorporating more naturalistic rendering techniques. For a boy's coming-of-age ceremony, the takarabune motif carries profound significance, representing the arrival of prosperity, wisdom, and all manner of good fortune as the child transitions into adulthood.

It exhibits some light staining on the front and back and measures 39 inches (99 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, with a length of 42 inches (107 cm).

This artwork is featured on pages 250-253 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

The piece is also featured on page 96 of the summer 2018 edition of HALI magazine.

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