This silk/rayon blend meisen kimono displays a striking Art Deco-influenced floral pattern that exemplifies the modernist aesthetic that swept through Japanese textile design during the interwar years. The design features stylized magnolia or camellia blossoms rendered in muted tones of cream and pale yellow against a rich burgundy ground, with leaves depicted in bold geometric interpretations using vibrant emerald green and golden yellow. The flowers are abstracted into simplified, almost sculptural forms that echo the streamlined sensibilities of the Art Deco movement, moving away from the naturalistic botanical representations common in earlier Japanese textiles.
The magnolia or camellia flowers carry deep symbolic meaning in Japanese culture, representing perseverance, nobility, and the ephemeral nature of beauty - themes that resonated particularly during this period of rapid social and cultural transformation. The geometric stylization of the leaves and the bold color palette reflect the influence of European modernist movements, while the overall composition maintains the Japanese aesthetic principle of asymmetrical balance. This textile represents a fascinating fusion of East and West, traditional craftsmanship and modern design sensibilities, characteristic of Japan's cultural dynamism during the Taishō and early Shōwa periods.
Its measurements span 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stand at 59 inches (150 cm) in height.