This tsumugi silk kimono represents a bold departure from traditional Japanese textile aesthetics, embodying the experimental spirit of the interwar period when Japan was actively engaging with international modernist movements.

The striking checkerboard pattern in primary colors of red, yellow, and blue creates a dynamic visual composition that feels remarkably contemporary. Each square contains different textural treatments - some featuring fine linear striations, others displaying grid patterns, and some rendered in solid colors - all unified by the geometric framework. The addition of silver metallic thread accents adds luminosity and sophistication to what might otherwise be a purely graphic design.

This aesthetic strongly evokes the influence of European avant-garde movements, particularly the Bauhaus school and De Stijl movement, with its emphasis on primary colors, geometric forms, and functional design principles. The bold use of red, yellow, and blue in stark juxtaposition recalls the work of artists like Piet Mondrian, while the overall compositional approach reflects the period's fascination with industrial aesthetics and modernist abstraction.

The tsumugi technique, traditionally associated with rustic, hand-spun silk textiles, here serves as an interesting counterpoint to the ultra-modern design. This juxtaposition of traditional craft methods with radical contemporary aesthetics exemplifies Japan's unique approach to modernization during this period - maintaining cultural techniques while embracing revolutionary visual languages.

Measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands 59 inches (150 cm) tall. Tsumugi, a beloved silk variety, is spun from silk waste, featuring nubs and occasional unevenness, contributing to its charm.

This artwork is featured on page 309 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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