Purple Rinzu Silk Kimono: Yuzen Fans & Floral Embroidery

This rinzu silk kimono is a sophisticated example of mid-century formal attire, featuring a rich purple ground with a subtle woven damask pattern of swirling clouds and floral blossoms. The garment is decorated using the yuzen resist-dyeing technique to create elegant floral arrangements and ceremonial fans (sensu) that appear to float across the surface. These motifs are further elevated by meticulous satin-stitch embroidery in shades of ivory, coral, and moss green, while surihaku (impressed metallic foil) provides a shimmering, luxurious definition to the edges of the fans and petals.

The asymmetrical composition features a large floral spray of peonies and chrysanthemums cascading from the right shoulder, balanced by a dense cluster of fans and blossoms sweeping across the lower hem. Symbolically, the fans represent expanding luck and a bright future, while the peony (botan) and chrysanthemum (kiku) signify nobility and longevity. This piece exemplifies the technical mastery of the Showa era, blending traditional dyeing, needlework, and foil application to create a garment with immense visual and tactile depth.

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