This rinzu silk haori showcases the elegant susuki (Japanese pampas grass) motif rendered through the sophisticated kata-yuzen dyeing technique, enhanced with delicate surihaku gold outlining against a rich purple ground. The design captures the graceful, flowing movement of pampas grass plumes as they bend and sway in autumn winds, their feathery seed heads depicted in cream and pale tones that seem to dance across the luxurious damask silk surface. The rhythmic curves and sweeping lines of the grass create a sense of natural motion and seasonal transition, while the subtle gold accents add luminous definition to each delicate frond. Among these arcs of grass appear kikyo (bellflowers), recognizable by their five-pointed petals; they are another emblem of autumn and suggest steadfastness and unchanging love.
The aesthetic reflects the refined sensibilities of traditional Japanese textile arts, where the kata-yuzen resist-dyeing technique allows for precise color gradations and painterly effects that blur the line between textile and fine art. The composition demonstrates the Japanese mastery of asymmetrical balance, with the pampas grass motifs flowing organically across the garment in a way that suggests natural growth patterns while maintaining visual harmony. The deep purple background provides dramatic contrast that makes the pale grass plumes appear to glow, creating an almost ethereal quality enhanced by the damask silk's inherent lustrous texture.
Susuki holds deep symbolic meaning in Japanese culture as one of the seven autumn grasses and a herald of the season's melancholic beauty. The motif evokes the concept of mono no aware—the bittersweet awareness of the impermanence of all things—as pampas grass represents the fleeting nature of autumn's splendor before winter's arrival. In classical Japanese poetry and art, susuki often symbolizes remembrance, nostalgia, and the passage of time, making it a poignant choice for formal wear that would be worn during autumn celebrations or moon-viewing ceremonies. The grass's association with the harvest moon and seasonal festivals adds layers of cultural resonance to this sophisticated garment.
Its measurements span 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stand at 37 inches (94 cm) in height.