Kurotomesode with Crane Garden Scene in Yūzen and Embroidery

This silk kurotomesode's  design concentrates at the hem in the classic susomoyō arrangement, leaving the expansive black silk ground above to command attention with its deep, lustrous simplicity. The pictorial scene depicts an elegant Japanese garden landscape featuring a solitary white crane standing gracefully beside stylized flowing water rendered with precise concentric lines suggesting raked sand or gentle currents. Moss-covered rocks, sculpted pine trees, and carefully manicured shrubs in graduated tones of sage, olive, and cream complete the tranquil scene.

Multiple techniques combine to create this refined imagery. Yūzen painting—the paste-resist dyeing method perfected in Kyoto—provides the foundational colors and delicate gradations, while embroidery highlights add dimensional texture to key elements. Gold or metallic couching (a technique where threads are laid on the surface and stitched down) likely enhances details within the water patterns and foliage, adding subtle shimmer appropriate to ceremonial contexts.

The crane carries profound symbolic weight: representing longevity, fidelity, and good fortune, cranes mate for life, making them particularly meaningful imagery for married women's formal wear. Combined with the evergreen pine—symbol of endurance—this composition expresses wishes for lasting happiness and prosperity.

Adorned with five mon (family crests), it features an extra lining, making it relatively heavy and ideal for winter wear. It's in very good condition, with minor imperfections, measuring 52 inches (132 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 61 inches (155 cm) in height.

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