This silk meisen kimono exemplifies the bold modernist aesthetic that emerged in Japanese textile design during the interwar period, reflecting the influence of Art Deco and geometric abstraction that was sweeping through decorative arts globally. The design features a dynamic composition of angular, faceted forms that fragment and reconstruct rose motifs into crystalline geometric patterns, rendered in a striking palette of coral pink, emerald green, golden yellow, and deep teal against a cream ground. The roses have been completely deconstructed from their naturalistic forms and reimagined as sharp-edged polygonal shapes that interlock and overlap in a rhythmic, kaleidoscopic arrangement across the entire garment.
This radical departure from traditional Japanese floral representation demonstrates the period's embrace of modernist principles, where conventional motifs were transformed through cubist-inspired fragmentation and bold color contrasts. The meisen technique, which allowed for more experimental and affordable textile production, was perfectly suited to this avant-garde aesthetic, enabling the creation of complex geometric patterns with crisp edges and vivid colors. The abstract treatment of the rose—a flower that had been adopted into Japanese decorative vocabulary from Western influence—symbolically represents the cultural synthesis occurring in Japan during this era, where traditional craftsmanship merged with international modernist sensibilities. The overall effect creates a sense of movement and energy that captures the dynamic spirit of the 1920s and 1930s, transforming the kimono from a repository of classical motifs into a canvas for contemporary artistic expression.
It measures 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 57 inches (145 cm) in height.