This rinzu silk kimono features a bold composition of yabane (arrow feathers) rendered in white against a rich burgundy ground, created through the ancient shibori resist-dyeing technique. The arrow feather motif, traditionally associated with protection from evil and the ability to ward off misfortune, takes on a distinctly contemporary character through its graphic, almost architectural presentation that echoes the streamlined aesthetic of Art Deco design.

The shibori technique employed here creates remarkable textural depth and visual interest, with the resist-dyed patterns producing subtle variations in tone and intensity that give the white arrow feathers a luminous, almost three-dimensional quality against the deep purple-burgundy background. The geometric precision of the yabane motifs, with their clean lines and angular forms, reflects the period's fascination with industrial modernism and machine aesthetics, while the underlying rinzu silk's subtle woven patterns add another layer of visual complexity. This combination of traditional dyeing methods with bold, simplified motifs represents a distinctive Japanese response to international modernist movements.

The symbolic significance of the yabane pattern extends beyond mere decoration, as arrows were believed to fly straight and true toward their target, making this an auspicious motif for formal occasions and important life transitions. The kimono's overall composition, with its rhythmic repetition of vertical arrow forms, creates a sense of upward movement and aspiration that would have resonated with the progressive spirit of 1920s-1930s Japan, when traditional culture was being reimagined through contemporary artistic lens while maintaining its essential protective and ceremonial functions.

Its measurements are 52 inches (132 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stand at 59 inches (150 cm) in height.

This artwork is featured on page 272 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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