This striking tsumugi silk kimono exemplifies the sophisticated evolution of traditional Japanese striped textiles during the early 29th century, when centuries-old vertical stripe patterns underwent bold reinterpretation through modernist sensibilities. The garment features bold vertical stripes in a dramatic palette of deep blue, rust red, cream, and black, creating a rhythmic composition that speaks to both traditional stripe aesthetics and the emerging Art Deco fascination with linear geometry and contrasting colors. The addition of silver metallic supplementary threads introduces a contemporary industrial element that transforms what might have been a conventional striped pattern into something distinctly modern and luxurious.

The tsumugi weaving method, traditionally associated with rustic silk textiles, here achieves remarkable refinement through precise color control and the integration of metallic elements.

The kimono's bold striping evokes both the influence of Western modernist design - particularly the Bauhaus movement's emphasis on geometric abstraction and industrial materials - and the Japanese tradition of iki, an aesthetic concept emphasizing sophisticated restraint and understated elegance. The vertical orientation of the stripes enhances the garment's architectural quality, creating a sense of height and dignity that would have been particularly striking when worn. This synthesis of traditional stripe patterns with modernist color theory and industrial materials represents the cultural dynamism of 1920s-1940s Japan, where ancient textile traditions were being reimagined through contemporary artistic and technological innovations.

Its upper inside lining (doura) is made of cotton. The kimono measures 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 58 inches (147 cm) in height.

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This artwork is featured on page 131 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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