This meisen silk kimono features Genji-incense motifs and measures 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, standing at 61 inches (155 cm) in height. The significance of incense in Japanese culture evolved with the arrival of Buddhist beliefs in the 6th and 7th centuries, symbolizing purity and the journey of the soul. During the Heian period, the nobility developed a sophisticated incense culture known as "kodo" or the "Way of Fragrance," considered one of Japan's classical arts alongside flower arranging (kado) and tea ceremony (chado). The Genji motifs on this kimono derive from a specialized incense ceremony called "Genji-ko," a refined game identifying distinct scents of aloes woods, featuring symbols corresponding to chapters in "The Tale of Genji." These symbols, represented by combinations of bars, were used as motifs on screens and kimonos, including this one.