This cotton kimono features an all-over pattern dominated by swirling, abstract motifs in various shades of blue, punctuated by striking coral-red accents that create dynamic visual tension across the surface. The design language speaks to the influence of mid-century modernism and abstract expressionism, movements that were gaining prominence in Japan during this era as the country opened itself to international artistic currents while simultaneously redefining its own cultural identity.
The pattern's organic, flowing forms suggest both natural phenomena—perhaps wind currents, water eddies, or atmospheric movements—and the gestural brushstrokes characteristic of abstract painting. This dual reading aligns with Japanese aesthetic principles that traditionally find artistic inspiration in natural forms, yet the execution is decidedly contemporary, eschewing the representational clarity of classical motifs in favor of suggestive abstraction. The repetitive nature of the pattern creates a sense of movement and energy that would have been considered quite progressive for kimono design, reflecting the period's embrace of Western artistic concepts while maintaining the fundamental structure of traditional Japanese dress.
The detail image reveals the sophisticated interplay of different blue tones and the subtle textural variations achieved through what appears to be resist-dyeing techniques, possibly katazome (stencil dyeing) or a modernized approach to traditional methods.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 62 inches (157 cm) in height.