This enchanting silk miyamairi kimono presents a serene and harmonious composition that reflects the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the Taishō period. The garment features an elegant pair of red-crested cranes positioned within a tranquil landscape of soft, muted tones that create a sense of peaceful contemplation. The birds are rendered with exquisite detail through the yuzen painting technique and enhanced with delicate embroidery, particularly visible in the intricate red patterning around the crane's head and the subtle gradations of their white plumage.

The composition demonstrates a masterful use of negative space and asymmetrical balance characteristic of Japanese design principles, with stylized cloud motifs (kumo) flowing horizontally across the garment in rhythmic bands of teal and white. The cranes stand gracefully on a sandy shore dotted with small rocks and sparse vegetation, creating an atmosphere of quiet dignity befitting the sacred nature of the miyamairi ceremony. The choice of teal rather than the traditional black background creates a softer, more nurturing palette that supports the theory of this being designed for a girl, while the symbolic cranes continue to embody the traditional wishes for longevity, good fortune, and spiritual protection. The overall aesthetic bridges classical Japanese artistic traditions with the period's emerging appreciation for more subtle, naturalistic color harmonies.

Measurements:  34 inches (86 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 41 inches (104 cm) in height

This artwork is featured on pages 234-239 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.

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