Tex, Japan, woven. Under-sash of green silk woven with a central section of geometric patterns; Shōwa period

Under-sash, green rib weave silk, with central panel woven with geometric patterns in supplementary warps and bordered with gold thread. The warp ends are divided into 16 tassels which are knotted and then plaited.

Given by Sarah Brooks in memory of her mother Bernice Eileen (Wiese) Boo

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).

Kimono have no buttons or clasps so are secured around the waist with a sash called an obi. During the Edo period (1615-1868) the obi grew wider and more elaborate until it assumed more of a decorative than practical function. It is under-sashes, such as this mid-20th century example, that actually keep the kimono closed.

FE.37-2015