This silk kimono uses silkscreen printing to create a delicate tachibana (wild orange) motif against a rich purple ground dotted with tiny white leaves. The design showcases graceful, flowing branches of the tachibana tree with its characteristic three-lobed leaves rendered in soft turquoise-green, punctuated by small golden-orange fruit that seem to glow against the deep violet background. This particular combination of colors—the complementary purple and orange with accents of jade green—reflects the sophisticated color sensibilities of the times, when Japanese textile designers were experimenting with both traditional motifs and contemporary production techniques.
The tachibana holds profound symbolic meaning in Japanese culture, representing eternal youth, longevity, and the promise of reunion, making it a particularly auspicious motif for formal wear. The flowing, naturalistic arrangement of the branches across the kimono's surface evokes the artistic principles of the Rinpa school, with its emphasis on decorative naturalism and rhythmic spacing, while the overall composition suggests the influence of Art Nouveau's organic, curvilinear aesthetic that was still resonating in Japanese design during this period. The silkscreen technique, which was becoming increasingly popular as a more efficient alternative to traditional hand-painting methods, allowed for the subtle gradations and fine detail visible in the botanical elements while maintaining the precision needed for the regular dotted background pattern.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, standing at 59 inches (150 cm) tall.