Catalog# 79272

1930s to 1950s Japanese Textiles:
From Arai-Hari Cleaners

Japanese Kimono Meisen Silk Fabric Piece
Shuiro Background w/ Temari Ball/Flower

Width:13.75 inches / 34.92 cm
Length: 38 inches / 96.52 cm

US$15.00 per piece
Plus Shipping

Item Details and Description

• Fabric History/Pedigree: 1930s to 1950s silkfabric pieces received from a traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor calledArai-Hari— see an excellent explanation of traditionalArai Hariby textile expertJohn Marshall, by click-pushing HERE.

• Fabric Description: Delicate, very lightweight Meisen silk, translucent, slightly stiff, minimum sheen; the background color is classic shuiro (vermillion, classically meant to ward off evil spirits, good luck, etc.); Designs are on both sides with the 6.5 inches/16.5 cm orbs representing temari paper balls (child’s toy), each with flower at center; Also, dabs of mostly pastel off-white, mustard, and white-gray spots, all 1 inch/2.54cm diameters, randomly spaced; other colors: dark green and moss-green with black colors in flowers; please see closeups.

  As is typical of meisen silks, the figures and line edges are intentionally fuzzy. This piece same on both sides.

• Colors:Please NOTE that colors and contrast differ on each device so please use our text descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric.

• Condition: Excellent

Background Information on Meisen Kimonos:

Meisen is defined literally in our Kenkyuusha dictionary as”…common silk stuff”;meisen fabrics (or garments made from them) are currently called ‘meisen’; Meisen kimono were made similarly tokasuri(ikat) , thoughmeisenusually have very colorful patterns with distinct — often more modern — motifs and a slight sheen; 1950s meisen have intentionally fuzzy, almost Impressionistic look and often larger designs; Kasuri/ikat, of course, is mostly indigo blue and some white with black.To learn more about kasuri click here.

To see pictures of meisen silk vintage kimonos from Google, touch HERE.

Other Cultural Notes:The best discussion we’ve found of Meisen silk fabric was on an old blog post byJapundit, excerpted here*:

“…Young women have rediscovered(Japan Times) thekimono, and you can see them out in Harajuku on the Sunday fashion parade. There’s even a term for these girls — not surprisingly they are called “kimonogirls.” There are even some nice books documenting the trend which you can check out at J-List and are definitely worth having if you are at all into fashion.

“Themeisen kimonoin particular has become very popular. Thesekimonowere made in the first half of the twentieth century, and were characterized by a glossy sheen, and brilliant patterns. There is often a sort ofblurryquality to the silks….”

[*original article has been pulled]

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