Red & White Meisen Silk Kimono: Geometric Berry Pattern

This meisen silk kimono is a striking example of the bold, avant-garde aesthetic that defined early 20th-century Japanese fashion. The garment features a high-contrast, graphic composition of large, interlocking serrated shapes in a vibrant coral-red and crisp white. Overlaid on this geometric ground are delicate, painterly branches of berries and dark green foliage, rendered with the characteristic blurred edges of the meisen ikat technique.

The juxtaposition of the sharp, jagged background with the soft, organic botanical motifs reflects the influence of Western Art Deco on traditional Japanese textile design during the Taisho and early Showa eras. Meisen was particularly popular for its accessibility and modern flair, often utilizing saturated chemical dyes to achieve the intense hues seen here. Symbolically, the berries and autumn-toned leaves suggest the changing seasons, while the dynamic geometric structure gives the piece a rhythmic, almost architectural energy.

It measures 51 inches (130 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 58 inches (147 cm) in height.

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