This meisen omeshi silk kimono features a bold ikat-style pattern of elongated diamond or oval shapes in a vibrant palette of slate blue, golden yellow, cream, and coral pink against a rich burgundy ground. This design demonstrates the meisen technique's characteristic "blurred" edges, created by resist-dyeing the warp threads before weaving, which produces the slightly fuzzy, painterly quality that distinguishes meisen textiles from more precise traditional weaving methods.
The pattern itself reflects both traditional Japanese geometric sensibilities and the period's growing interest in more dynamic, eye-catching designs that appealed to urban consumers seeking fashionable alternatives to conservative formal wear. The large-scale repeat and saturated colors demonstrate meisen's democratization of kimono fashion - these techniques made it possible to produce visually striking garments at more accessible price points than hand-painted or elaborately woven alternatives. The diamond motifs can be interpreted as stylized variations of traditional Japanese geometric patterns, but their scale and arrangement show clear influence from contemporary international textile trends.
The detail reveals the sophisticated technical achievement of the meisen process, where the complex interplay of pre-dyed warp threads creates subtle color variations and dimensional effects within each motif. The omeshi silk adds textural interest through its characteristic crinkled surface, achieved through a special twisting technique during weaving that creates a slightly irregular, tactile quality. This combination of ikat-style resist dyeing with omeshi silk weaving represents the period's experimental approach to traditional techniques, creating textiles that maintained Japanese aesthetic principles while embracing new production methods and visual effects. The result is a garment that captures the energy and optimism of early modern Japan, where technological innovation and artistic tradition merged to create distinctly contemporary expressions of cultural identity.
Its measurements are 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and a height of 58 inches (147 cm).