Tex, Japan. Tunic under-garment (hadajuban) of cotton with broderie anglaise sleeve ends
Tex, Japan. Skirt under-garment (susuyoke) of cotton with broderie anglaise hem

Waist-length tunic under-garment (hadajuban) of kimono style body with wide, fully attached, sleeves edged with broderie anglaise. Undyed cotton, the sleeves of a stiffer, more densely woven cotton. Flat, rectangular skirt under-garment (susuyoke) of undyed cotton with waist ties. Upper section of stiffer, densely woven cotton, and hem section of broderie anglaise.

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), sash (obi), obi-pad (obimakura), under-sash, under-kimono (nagajuban), underwear (hadajuban and susuyoke), shoes (zori) and sock (tabi), together with a wrapping cloth (furoshiki).

Under the various layers of kimono, simple under-garments are worn. This mid-20th century set is of undyed cotton, edged with broderie anglaise. The tunic bears the label of the department store Mitsukoshi.

FE.39:1, 2-2015