Indigo Katazome Han-Juban: Wool Sleeves with Puppy Motifs

This han-juban (half-length under-kimono) is a charming and eclectic example of  personal attire, showcasing a playful mix of materials and graphic styles. The garment features a cotton bodice meticulously patterned using the katazome stenciling technique, creating a dense field of interlocking white geometric squares against a saturated indigo-blue ground.

In a striking stylistic contrast, the garment is finished with wool sleeves that display a whimsical, Western-influenced narrative. These light lavender and cream sleeves feature a collage of silkscreened motifs, including realistic portraits of puppies, baseballs, sunbursts, and bold checkerboard patterns. This juxtaposition of traditional Japanese stenciling with modern, everyday imagery reflects the era's unique cultural fusion, where global sports and domestic pets became popular subjects for textile design.

It measures 50 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 28 inches in height (127 cm x 71 cm).

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