Veil kimono (kazuki)
Date19th century
Maker
Japanese
Label TextAs relatively inexpensive design techniques, tsutsugaki and katazome were frequently employed by members of all classes of Japanese society. These methods allowed for a measure of inventiveness on the part of the dyer, who was free to explore his artistic expression. The dyer of this garment aimed for subtlety over high drama, creating a restrained, sophisticated design highlighting bands of small motifs set off by a striking chrysanthemum medallion. Maple leaves decorate the top band, followed by folding fans and tiny blossoms-perhaps snowflakes-on the two central bands. The sawarabi, or bracken fern, at the hem of the kimono appears on a variety of applied arts, and usually denotes springtime. The combination of motifs points to a Four Seasons theme.
Object number89.138
Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Beyond The Tanabata Bridge: A Textile Journey In Japan (Washington, D.C., Textile Museum, Sept. 10, 1993 - Feb. 27, 1994; Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham Museum of Art, Apr. 17 - June 26, 1994; Dallas, Texas, Dallas Museum of Art, Mar. 12 - May 28, 1995).
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Mood Indigo: Textiles from Around the World, Apr. 9 - Oct. 9, 2016.Published ReferencesRathbun, William Jay, Seattle Art Museum, "Beyond The Tanabata Bridge: Traditional Japanese Textiles", 1993 Seattle, Washington, pg. 139Credit LineGift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection
Dimensions51 1/2 x 47 7/8 in. (130.81 x 121.6 cm)
MediumBast fiber (asa) cloth with paste-resist stencil decoration (katazome) and freehand paste-resist decoration (tsutsugaki); indigo dye
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