Meisen Hitoe Kimono with Teal Botan and Bird Roundels

This hitoe (unlined) kimono showcases meisen silk's distinctive qualities—the soft yet slightly crisp hand that made this fabric beloved for transitional season wear. The unlined construction indicates use during warmer months or the shoulder seasons of early autumn and late spring when layered garments would prove too warm.

Against a deep chocolate-brown ground, large circular roundels contain lush botan (peony) blossoms intertwined with birds, all rendered in striking teal. The peonies appear in full, magnificent bloom with layered petals and bold foliage, while birds nestle among the flowers—a classic pairing in East Asian decorative arts. Sinuous ryusui (flowing water) streams meander between the roundels, their curved parallel lines suggesting gentle currents that connect each floral medallion in an elegant visual rhythm.

The peony holds exceptional status in Japanese and Chinese artistic traditions as the "king of flowers," symbolizing wealth, prosperity, good fortune, and nobility. When paired with birds, the combination suggests paradise gardens and harmonious abundance. The circular format containing these motifs recalls the tradition of flower-and-bird painting (kachō-ga), compressing elaborate natural scenes into refined medallion forms.

The two-tone palette of warm brown and cool teal creates sophisticated chromatic tension while maintaining visual restraint. The characteristic slight blur of meisen dyeing softens the intricate internal details of each roundel, lending painterly atmosphere to the botanical imagery.

Despite minor imperfections, it remains in very good condition, measuring 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at a height of 60 inches (152 cm).