Base fabric: meisen silk, of the type heiyo-gasuri

Size style: Naga-haori

Family crests (mon) present: none

Dimensions: 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 36 inches (91 cm) in height

Traditional Japanese textile art meets Art Nouveau and early modernism in the striking patterns of this meisen silk composition. Pine motifs, rendered in a bold, modernist style, transform the traditional Japanese pine (matsu) symbol into something strikingly contemporary. These motifs, in green, pink, and white against a golden yellow background, create a dynamic composition that embodies the Japanese concept of 'notan' - the interplay between positive and negative space. Its bold, geometric interpretation of natural forms evokes the organic curves and naturalistic patterns characteristic of Art Nouveau. The color palette, particularly the use of mustard yellow as a background, reflects the influence of Japonisme on Western art while remaining distinctly Japanese in its execution. The overall design shows an interesting tension between traditional Japanese textile patterns and modernist abstraction, presaging elements that have an affinity to Op Art and Abstract Expressionism through its use of repetitive, almost hypnotic patterns and bold color contrasts. Additionally, the bold, stylized forms and vivid color palette evoke the aesthetics of the Fauvist movement, characterized by artists such as Henri Matisse and André Derain, known for their use of strong colors and abstracted forms to convey emotion. The lush greens, pinks, and yellows create a visual impact reminiscent of the wild, expressive brushwork seen in Fauvist paintings.

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