Taisho Art Deco Haori: Blue & Gold Mosaic Diamond Meisen

A meisen omeshi silk haori . Set against a dark ground, the surface is organized through a rhythmic interplay of geometric framing and floral imagery, creating a composition that feels both structured and animated. Repeating lozenge-shaped fields in muted blue are bordered by fine linear accents, within which small, evenly dispersed motifs establish a subtle visual texture. These geometric units are interspersed with softly contoured floral roundels rendered in warm peach, cream, and pale green tones, their slightly blurred edges characteristic of meisen weaving techniques. The resulting tension between crisp geometry and gently diffused floral forms lends the textile a dynamic optical quality, encouraging the eye to move across the surface rather than settle on a single focal point.

The design strongly reflects the aesthetic climate of the Taishō period, when Japanese textile artists actively absorbed international modern design currents while reinterpreting them through local techniques. The bold repetition, flattened motifs, and confident color contrasts evoke Art Deco sensibilities, while the all-over patterning and playful abstraction align with the progressive spirit of Taishō modernism. Floral motifs here move beyond seasonal reference to function as stylized symbols of vitality and renewal, while the enclosing geometric forms suggest order, balance, and modern structure.

It exhibits a few small damages. Its measurements are 49 inches (124.5 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 37 inches (94 cm) in height.

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