This chirimen silk kimono features a sophisticated faux ikat pattern achieved through silkscreen printing, creating the illusion of the labor-intensive kasuri weaving technique while embracing industrial production methods. Against a rich dark purple ground, vertical bands of cream, soft mint green, and warm brown create a structured composition that echoes the geometric abstraction emerging in contemporary European art movements, particularly the clean lines and color-blocking principles of early modernism and the Vienna Secession.
The pattern's deliberate irregularity—where crisp vertical stripes dissolve into feathered, flame-like edges—mimics the characteristic blurred boundaries of authentic ikat dyeing, where threads are resist-dyed before weaving to create softly defined patterns. This aesthetic choice reflects both technical innovation and cultural significance, as the ikat motif traditionally symbolizes the interconnectedness of fate and the beauty found in controlled randomness. The sophisticated color palette, dominated by the deep aubergine background punctuated by these carefully orchestrated vertical interruptions, creates a sense of urban elegance that speaks to Japan's rapid modernization during this period. The design's rhythmic vertical emphasis and geometric sensibility align with the era's fascination with industrial aesthetics while maintaining the subtle asymmetry and organic quality that remained fundamentally Japanese in character.
It has a tiny tear on the front and several minor stains. Measuring 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 54 inches (137 cm) in height.