This silk kimono from Japan's Taishō period (1912-1926) is a vibrant example of the era's embrace of modernism and international design. The garment features a bold, silk-screened pattern of an abstract, irregular grid set against a deep teal background. The intersecting lines, rendered in contrasting shades of off-white, gold, and terracotta, possess a dynamic, textured quality that mimics the appearance of expressive brushstrokes. This design moves away from traditional, pictorial motifs and instead celebrates geometric abstraction, rhythm, and graphic impact. The aesthetic strongly evokes Western art movements of the time, particularly the geometric stylization of Art Deco and the textured, handcrafted feel celebrated by the Arts and Crafts movement. This fusion of international modernism with Japanese design sensibilities was a hallmark of the Taishō Roman cultural phenomenon, reflecting a cosmopolitan spirit and a desire for new forms of expression in fashion and art.
Its measurements are 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 55 inches (140 cm) in height.