Kimono
Costumes
Inventory number
2024.4.28.3.CO.ET.C1930.JPDescription
Kimono in Art Deco style with navy geometrical ornament on grey jacquard viscose. It looks like this item is a kind of Meisen kimono, that went on stage in the beginning of XX century due to cross-country cultural exchange and inspiration between Japan and the West.The development of Meisen kimono from the combination of a less expensive silk and a stencil print and weaving technique brought modern silk kimono fashions within the reach of many woman for the first time. The designs and the patterns of the Meisen silk were rather simple in the early stage, but afterwards the traditionally patterns changed to stylized and large flowers and landscapes, and by the Taisho and early Shôva period (1926 - 1945) came vibrant, big, and dynamic designs inspired by European art movement such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau, Abstract Expressionism and Constructivism. The designs have the bright colors swaths of Fauvism and the bold, geometric patterns of Art Deco. Meisen silk kimono has 2 "sisters": Omeshi silk kimono, that was done by high quality raw silk, and Tsumugi silk kimono from a rough quality of silk, spun by damaged cocoon silk. These Meisen kimono were sold in large numbers at the department stores in Japan.