Black Meisen Silk Kimono: Kiku Chrysanthemum & Stream Design

This small meisen silk kimono is a vibrant example of mid-century textile design, featuring a bold, graphic composition on a deep black ground. The design showcases large, stylized chrysanthemum blossoms (kiku) in shades of salmon-pink, golden-yellow, and silver-grey, paired with dynamic, flowing stream motifs (kanze-mizu) rendered in creamy white with jagged, energetic edges. The use of the meisen technique, known for its pre-dyed threads and slightly blurred "kasuri" edges, gives the patterns a modern, painterly quality that vibrates against the dark background.

The chrysanthemum is a highly revered symbol in Japan, representing longevity, rejuvenation, and the sun, while the flowing water symbolizes the passage of time and the washing away of impurities. Together, the "kiku-sui" (chrysanthemum on water) motif is an auspicious classic, reimagined here with the high-contrast, avant-garde sensibility of the early Showa era. The juxtaposition of the structured, circular blossoms with the fluid, jagged streams creates a sophisticated visual rhythm, making this garment both a significant cultural artifact and a striking piece of modern textile art.

It has a white cotton inner lining and is in very good condition, measuring 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing at 55 inches (140 cm) tall.