This silk shibori haori exemplifies the sophisticated artistry of resist-dyeing techniques through its masterful rendering of the twisted plum blossom motif known as "nejiumo." The garment displays a complex interplay between vibrant turquoise-green plum blossoms and complementary crosshatched circular forms in pink and white against a deep eggplant purple ground. The shibori technique creates characteristic textural variations and subtle color gradations that give each motif a sense of dimensional depth and organic irregularity impossible to achieve through mechanical printing methods. The twisted or spiraled quality of the plum blossoms adds dynamic movement to the overall composition, suggesting the natural growth patterns of these early spring flowers as they unfurl from winter dormancy.
The plum blossom holds special significance in Japanese culture as a symbol of perseverance, hope, and renewal, blooming courageously through the late winter snow to herald spring's arrival. The "nejiumo" or twisted plum motif specifically celebrates this resilience through its spiraling forms that suggest both the flower's natural growth and the cyclical nature of seasonal change. The bold color palette of complementary purples and greens, enhanced by the crisp white resist areas, demonstrates the period's embrace of optimistic, life-affirming designs. The sophisticated shibori work, with its precise binding techniques creating both the floral forms and geometric crosshatched circles, represents the continuation of centuries-old Japanese textile traditions while adapting to contemporary aesthetic sensibilities that favored more dynamic and expressive pattern arrangements.
Its measurements stand at 51 inches (130 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and a height of 40 inches (102 cm).