Grey Silk Kimono / W Spring Branch Design

Japanese commoners were not allowed to wear silk until the 1860’s and instead were relegated to wearing coarse cloth woven of hemp or other plant fibers. Once they were allowed to wear silk, the demand for patterned silk skyrocketed. The kasuri (ikat) technique was very costly and was replaced by the meisen techinque. Instead of tie dying or paste-resist, the yarns were printed using stencils while on the loom to give the ikat effect, and then woven on a mechanized loom. This technique was very popular in the early 20th century, but became less popular when Japanese women started wearing Western clothing after World War II.

This kimono is very colorful and has an abstract branch design on a gray background. Dark gray and green vertical branches are adorned with red, yellow, orange, and white spots. If you look closely, you can see the feathered edges imitating the look of ikat.