This meisen silk kimono features dramatic vertical stripes created through a sophisticated interplay of jagged, flame-like motifs in deep charcoal black against a cream ground, punctuated by sinuous serpentine lines in burnt orange and olive green. The organic, undulating forms create a sense of movement and energy that flows across the entire garment, with the irregular edges of the black sections suggesting natural phenomena like smoke, water, or geological formations.

The aesthetic reflects the influence of mid-century modernist design movements that were reshaping visual culture globally during this period. The abstract, non-representational approach marks a significant departure from traditional Japanese textile motifs, embracing instead the international language of modernism with its emphasis on pure form, color relationships, and dynamic composition. The meisen technique, with its capacity for sharp graphic effects and vibrant color contrasts, proved particularly well-suited to this kind of contemporary artistic expression.

This design speaks to Japan's cultural transformation during the 1950s, when the country was rapidly modernizing and engaging with international artistic trends while maintaining its distinctive aesthetic sensibility. The kimono represents a fascinating synthesis of traditional Japanese garment construction with cutting-edge visual design that could easily be at home in contemporary abstract art galleries. The bold graphic quality and energetic patterning reflect the optimism and forward-looking spirit of Japan's post-war reconstruction period, when artists and designers were enthusiastically exploring new forms of creative expression.

Measures 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands 59 inches (150 cm) tall.

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