This summer ro silk kimono features bold red lilies scattered across a pristine white ground, creating a striking visual impact that speaks to the confident aesthetic sensibilities of the Taisho period. The lilies, rendered in various shades of deep coral and crimson with vibrant green foliage, are painted with remarkable botanical accuracy, showing the detailed stamens and naturalistic petal formations that indicate skilled artisanal work rather than mass production techniques.
The ro weaving technique, visible in the detailed close-up, creates an open-mesh structure with alternating gauze weave sections that provide essential breathability for summer wear while maintaining the fabric's structural integrity. This specialized weaving method produces the characteristic linear texture that creates subtle transparency effects, allowing air circulation crucial for comfort during Japan's humid summers. The hand-painted highlights add dimensional quality to the floral motifs, with yellow stamens and white accents that catch light and create visual depth. The lily motif carries symbolic associations with purity, renewal, and feminine beauty in both Eastern and Western traditions, making it particularly appropriate for summer celebrations and formal occasions.
Its original measurement is 44 inches (112 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 58 inches (147 cm) in height. However, the sleeves have been carefully taken in, allowing them to expand to 48 inches (122 cm) when needed.