This boy's ceremonial silk kimono features yuzen-painted depictions inspired by a Japanese folktale, measuring 24 inches (61 cm) across the sleeves and standing at 38 inches (97 cm) in height. The artwork draws from the legend of Kintaro, a child abandoned near Mount Fuji and raised by Yamauba, a half-woman, half-spirit residing in the Ashigara mountains. Kintaro grew up alongside animal friends, eventually refereeing wrestling matches among them, including a famous match between a rabbit and a monkey.

The central theme of this kimono's artwork is reminiscent of an October 1890 13"x9" woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, titled 'Moon of Kintoki's Mountain'. Yoshitoshi, a renowned late 19th-century Japanese printmaker famous for 'One Hundred Aspects of the Moon', depicted Kintaro, vegetables, and a rabbit similarly to this kimono. However, the depiction of the monkey on the kimono differs, resembling a different animal like a rat. Additionally, the scene in the kimono is set within a forest, unlike the print.

It's plausible that Yoshitoshi was involved in creating the kimono's design, given the complementary nature of the forest scenery and wrestling match imagery, reflective of Yoshitoshi's artistic style. Since Yoshitoshi passed away in 1892, any potential involvement in designing this kimono likely occurred between 1890 and 1892. Notably, only one other garment, item 2563, features similar motifs to this kimono.

This artwork is featured on pages 288-291 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

The piece is also featured on page 92 of the summer 2018 edition of HALI magazine.

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