This exceptional early 20th-century silk kimono represents a masterful fusion of traditional kata-yuzen dyeing techniques with distinctive design choices that reflect the aesthetic innovations of the Taisho period. The garment features bold rohdea japonica (Japanese sacred lily) motifs rendered in a sophisticated palette of coral-orange blooms with deep blue-purple berries, set against an uncommonly vibrant yellow ground. This golden background departs from the more typical neutral or darker foundations found in classical kimono design, suggesting an embrace of the period's experimental approach to color relationships and possibly reflecting Western artistic influences that were permeating Japanese decorative arts during this era.
The rohdea motif carries profound symbolic significance in Japanese culture, representing longevity, prosperity, and spiritual protection - particularly appropriate for formal or ceremonial wear. The plant's evergreen nature and its ability to produce vibrant berries even in winter made it an emblem of enduring strength and good fortune. The artist has captured these botanical forms with remarkable naturalism, employing the kata-yuzen technique's capacity for precise detail and subtle color gradation. The flowing arrangement of leaves and the careful positioning of flower clusters demonstrate the influence of classical Japanese painting traditions, particularly the naturalistic observation found in the Maruyama-Shijo school.
The detail images reveal the garment's technical sophistication, particularly the integration of horizontal metallic thread inserts that create subtle textural variation and add luminous accents throughout the composition. This combination of resist-dyed imagery with supplementary metallic elements reflects the period's embrace of mixed-media approaches to textile decoration. The weave structure visible in the close-ups shows the fine silk's quality, while the metallic threads create geometric counterpoints to the organic floral forms, embodying the era's characteristic balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetic sensibilities.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 58 inches (147 cm) in height.