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Kimono

1800-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The white spotted parts of the pattern on this striking red kimono were created using a method called shibori. In this technique tiny sections of cloth are bound with thread prior to being dyed. The colour does not penetrate the protected areas. After the dye is dry the binding is carefully removed. Shibori was costly and labour intensive and was usually combined with embroidery as in this kimono. The dense pattern of peonies, chrysanthemums and hollyhocks combined with a key fret pattern is characteristic of kimono worn by women of samurai families. The samurai were the ruling military class of Japan in the Edo period (1615-1868).

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered, tie-dyed (<i>shibori</i>) and paste-resist dyed (<i>yuzen</i>) silk crêpe (<i>chirimen</i>), lined with silk
Brief description
Kimono of embroidered and resist dyed silk crêpe, Japan, 1800-1850
Physical description
Kimono of red silk crêpe (chirimen) with tie-dyeing (shibori), paste-resist dyeing (yuzen) and embroidery in coloured silk and metallic threads of peonies, leaves and ribbons on a fretwork ground.

The kimono is straight cut with square sleeves, and is lined with orange red silk.
Dimensions
  • Top of shoulder to hem length: 155cm (Maximum)
  • Width: 128cm (Maximum)
Measured by conservation
Style
Credit line
Hart Gift
Subject depicted
Summary
The white spotted parts of the pattern on this striking red kimono were created using a method called shibori. In this technique tiny sections of cloth are bound with thread prior to being dyed. The colour does not penetrate the protected areas. After the dye is dry the binding is carefully removed. Shibori was costly and labour intensive and was usually combined with embroidery as in this kimono. The dense pattern of peonies, chrysanthemums and hollyhocks combined with a key fret pattern is characteristic of kimono worn by women of samurai families. The samurai were the ruling military class of Japan in the Edo period (1615-1868).
Collection
Accession number
T.109-1954

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Record createdFebruary 28, 2006
Record URL
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