Kimono
1955-1958 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The fabric of this kimono is ro, a type of silk gauze in which rows of plain weave alternate with one where adjacent warps cross over each other, which results in an ‘open’ horizontal stripe. The soft, fine fabric is ideally suited for unlined summer kimono such as this example, which has been dyed a delicate green colour and patterned with flowers including fuyō (hibiscus) and nadeshiko (dianthus), the latter a Japanese symbol of femininity. Prior to the 20th century, the focus of the pattern was always on the back of kimono but this then shifted, as seen here, to the lower front. The five crests indicate that the garment was designed to be worn for formal occasions. This kimono was part of a complete ensemble acquired by American Bernice Eileen Boo who taught at the Narimasu High School, Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan, from 1957-1959.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gauze weave; stencil-printed on the fabric surface |
| Brief description | Tex, Japan, resist-dyed. Formal summer kimono for a woman with fuyō and nadeshiko; Shōwa period |
| Physical description | Formal pale green summer kimono for a woman (hitoe), gauze weave silk (ro), stencil-printed on fabric surface (kata-yūzen) with a design of flowers including fuyō (hibiscus) and nadeshiko (dianthus) on the lower section of the front; horizontal seam on upper back; five paulownia crests; unlined. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Sarah Brooks in memory of her mother Bernice Eileen (Wiese) Boo |
| Object history | This kimono ensemble belonged to Bernice Eileen Boo (1930-2010). Brought up on a small farm in Spencer, Iowa, she became a teacher of music for the US Department of Defense. She subsequently travelled the world teaching music, English, and other subjects to the children of families living on military bases. She taught at the Narimasu High School, Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan, from 1957-1959, which is when she probably acquired this outfit which consists of a summer kimono (hitoe), obi (sash), obi-pad (obimakura), under-sash, under-kimono (nagajuban), underwear (hadajuban and susuyoke), shoes (zori) and sock (tabi), together with a wrapping cloth (furoshiki). |
| Summary | The fabric of this kimono is ro, a type of silk gauze in which rows of plain weave alternate with one where adjacent warps cross over each other, which results in an ‘open’ horizontal stripe. The soft, fine fabric is ideally suited for unlined summer kimono such as this example, which has been dyed a delicate green colour and patterned with flowers including fuyō (hibiscus) and nadeshiko (dianthus), the latter a Japanese symbol of femininity. Prior to the 20th century, the focus of the pattern was always on the back of kimono but this then shifted, as seen here, to the lower front. The five crests indicate that the garment was designed to be worn for formal occasions. This kimono was part of a complete ensemble acquired by American Bernice Eileen Boo who taught at the Narimasu High School, Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan, from 1957-1959. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.35-2015 |
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| Record created | May 22, 2015 |
| Record URL |
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