This charming girls' juban represents a delightful fusion of traditional Japanese motifs with modern silkscreen printing technology, featuring playful karako (Chinese child) figures scattered across a vibrant red ground punctuated by bold geometric star patterns. The karako motif holds deep cultural significance in Japanese decorative arts, representing prosperity, fertility, and the joy of childhood - these chubby, cherubic figures were believed to bring good fortune and were particularly popular on children's clothing and celebratory garments. The children are depicted in colorful patchwork clothing with their characteristic top-knots, engaging in playful activities while holding temari (decorative balls), which themselves symbolize friendship, loyalty, and the cyclical nature of life.
The artistic treatment demonstrates the influence of both traditional folk art aesthetics and emerging modern design sensibilities of the 1920s-1930s. The silkscreen printing technique, which was gaining popularity during this period, allowed for the creation of bold, graphic designs with crisp color registration that would have been difficult to achieve through traditional hand-painting or resist-dyeing methods. The geometric asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern that forms the background creates a dynamic radiating effect, symbolizing growth and prosperity while providing visual energy that complements the playful nature of the karako figures. This pattern choice reflects the period's embrace of both traditional Japanese geometric motifs and the bold graphic sensibilities influenced by Art Deco and other international design movements.
The overall composition creates a sense of celebratory abundance appropriate for a child's undergarment, where the hidden nature of the juban would make these joyful motifs a private source of delight and protection. The red ground color, achieved through modern dyeing techniques, provides an auspicious backdrop that symbolizes vitality and good fortune, while the scattered arrangement of figures suggests the spontaneous joy of childhood play.
It measures 43 inches (109 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 43 inches (109 cm) in height.