Veil kimono (kazuki)
19th century
As 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.
Bast fiber (asa) cloth with paste-resist stencil decoration (katazome) and freehand paste-resist decoration (tsutsugaki); indigo dye
51 1/2 x 47 7/8 in. (130.81 x 121.6 cm)
Gift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection
89.138
Photo: Paul Macapia
