This haori showcases bold black peony motifs against a striking mottled red background that creates an almost abstract expressionist effect. The peonies are rendered as powerful silhouettes with characteristic ruffled petals and curving stems, their dark forms creating strong graphic contrast against the variegated crimson ground. The mottled background technique, possibly achieved through resist-dyeing or deliberate fabric manipulation, produces an organic, cloud-like texture that ranges from deep burgundy to lighter coral tones, giving the entire surface a dynamic, almost volcanic quality.
The peony motif carries significant cultural weight in Japanese aesthetics, traditionally symbolizing honor, wealth, and bravery, while also representing the fleeting nature of life due to the flower's brief but spectacular bloom. The choice to render these flowers as stark black silhouettes rather than naturalistic colors reflects the aesthetic experimentation of the post-war period, when Japanese textile designers were exploring more abstract and modernist approaches to traditional motifs. The overall composition demonstrates influences from mid-century modern design movements, particularly in its bold use of contrast and the gestural quality of the background treatment.
Measuring 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, it stands at a height of 33 inches (84 cm).