This chirimensilk kimono exemplifies the sophisticated artistry of mid-20th century Japanese textile design, combining traditional yuzen dyeing techniques with freehand painted elements to create a dynamic composition of stylized waves and water motifs. The garment displays a masterful interplay of flowing, organic forms rendered in deep teals, coral oranges, and muted earth tones against a creamy silk ground, with areas of crosshatched patterning that add textural depth and visual complexity.
The wave motifs that dominate the design are deeply rooted in Japanese artistic tradition, evoking the powerful symbolism of water as both a life-giving force and a representation of the transient nature of existence—core concepts in Buddhist philosophy. These stylized waves, with their characteristic curved forms and spray patterns, recall the iconic imagery found in classical Japanese art, from medieval scroll paintings to Hokusai's famous woodblock prints. The treatment here shows a modernist sensibility that emerged in post-war Japanese design, where traditional motifs were reinterpreted with greater abstraction and bold color combinations.
The composition demonstrates the sophisticated yuzen technique, where resist-paste is used to create crisp boundaries between colored areas, allowing for the precise rendering of complex overlapping forms. The freehand painted elements add spontaneity and movement to the design, creating areas where colors blend and flow organically.
Its dimensions are 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 62 inches (156 cm) in height.