This striking chirimen silk kimono represents a bold departure from traditional Japanese textile design, embracing the geometric abstraction and color experimentation that characterized the international modernist movement of the 1920s-30s. The garment features an all-over pattern of irregular rectangular patches in vibrant hues - coral pink, golden yellow, sage green, and deep purple - scattered across a rich black ground in a seemingly random yet carefully balanced composition. This radical design approach reflects the influence of European avant-garde movements, particularly Constructivism and De Stijl, which emphasized pure geometric forms and bold color relationships as expressions of modern industrial aesthetics. The technical execution demonstrates the sophisticated integration of traditional Japanese textile techniques with contemporary design sensibilities. The silkscreen printing method used for the colored rectangles represents the adoption of modern industrial processes, while the delicate embroidered highlights visible in the pink sections and the incorporation of gold metallic threads maintain connections to Japan's centuries-old luxury textile traditions. The detail images reveal subtle floral motifs - small purple and gold blossoms with linear accents - that provide a gentle nod to classical Japanese decorative vocabulary while being thoroughly integrated into the modernist aesthetic framework. This kimono embodies the complex cultural negotiations of Japan's interwar period, when the country was simultaneously embracing Western modernization while seeking to maintain its cultural identity. The geometric abstraction speaks to contemporary movements in art and design, yet the careful attention to color harmony, the quality of the chirimen silk with its characteristic subtle texture, and the masterful integration of multiple techniques reflect deeply rooted Japanese aesthetic principles. The result is a remarkable synthesis that positions this garment as both a product of its specific historical moment and a timeless example of how traditional craftsmanship can successfully engage with radical design innovation.

Its measurements are approximately 50 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands 60 inches tall (127 cm x 152 cm).

This artwork is featured on page 135 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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