CIRCA 1920s RARE TO FIND, BEAUTIFUL, TRADITIONAL, VINTAGE, AUTHENTIC, JAPANESE, DEEP PURPLISH-PINK, FIGURED MON KINSHA SILK KIMONO, WOMEN’S HAORI JACKET with WOVEN FLORAL FANS with LOVELY VIBRANT PATTERNED LINING & PERIOD HIMO TIES - EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION FOR ITS AGE.
This is a truly stunning, unique, elegant, quality jacket in overall excellent condition for its age which is rare to find.
There are a number of things that make this jacket especially lovely which don't show up well on the photos so I will just mention them.
Firstly, the fabric on this jacket is a lustrous, fine, light weight, mon kinsha silk with an elegant, woven pattern. It has been slightly starched which was commonly done in this era to keep the kimono in perfect shape. Therefore it has a slightly crisp feel.
Mon Kinsha is a lustrous silk, used for high end garments and characterised by having a figured woven pattern and a very subtle crinkle texture like crepe.
The base colour is a very deep and vibrant purple with a pink tone which I think is called 'fuchsia'. The colour was difficult to photograph exactly accurately but shows most true on the first photo. It looks a bit more vibrant in real life.
The base silk is woven with a typical Japanese motifs. There are many fan shapes called 'jigami' which either woven with a geometric grid pattern, small square 'spots' known as 'kanoko' or flowers, namely, chrysanthemums or peonies. It is difficult to show the lovely woven pattern well on the photos but it catches the light nicely when seen with the eye and add a lot of interest.
Secondly, the dramatic colour, longer sleeve drop, longer body length, patterned lining and bold himo cords are all characteristic Taisho Roman fashion. This was popular in the 1920s and 1930s when Japanese clothing was being strongly influenced by the Western Romanticism movement of the early 19th century. At this time ready-to-wear kimono were produced in bright colours and large patterns, aimed at the fashionable 'modern' consumer. Kimono from this era are often described as 'Taisho Roman'.
Thirdly, the lining is lovely on this jacket and is in remarkably good condition for this age. The lining is a silky fabric which I think may is an artificial silk, as silk was in short supply at this the time between the two World Wars.
The ling colours are vibrant with a hot pink background with plum blossom flowers, roundels and flying cranes in various bright colours. A flash of this colourful lining will show at the sleeve slits when the jacket is worn which is very attractive.
There are the original, vintage, period, tying cords (himo) which is a bonus as they are often missing. These ones are typical of the 1920s period when they were generally larger and bold in colour. They are intricately woven in deep pink silk with some fine embroidered detailing. I will send the buyer information on how to tie the himo correctly.
The garment is really stunning and gives a unique effect. It is a lovely item to touch and to wear and brings something of traditional Japanese culture into everyday use. This haori would make an excellent, unique and gorgeous evening jacket or a display item.
AGE & CONDITION: This haori dates from around the late Taisho (1912-1926) around the 1920s.
The colour, pattern, longer length, coloured lining and bold himo cords are all typical of the era.
The haori's condition is vintage excellent for its age which is rare to find. So, It has no conspicuous faults at all. Although not obvious, there is a little variation in the base colour with some subtle lines which I think are original dyeing errors. Otherwise, both the exterior and lining are in excellent order for an item of around 100 years old. This is a vintage item of some considerable age in great shape overall but please do not expect it to be exactly like new.
SIZE : This haori is a few inches longer in overall length and in the sleeve drop is longer than contemporary models which is typical for its era.
It should fit a range of sizes up to a maximum of size UK12 although it would also be fine on someone a bit smaller too, as it is supposed to be large and flowing.
Cuff to cuff width is 124.5cm /49".
The overall length is 89cm/35",
The width across the back (side seam to side seam) is 59.7cm/23.5”.
The sleeve drop is 23"/59cm. It weighs about 520g.
HAORI are short kimono jackets worn over full length kimonos. They are not designed to close in front but can have two tying cords called Himo that are knotted across the chest ( included with this garment). The sleeves are worn shorter than other kimonos. Traditionally they were only worn by men but in the early 19th century, it became fashionable for women to wear them. They make excellent and unusual evening jackets or wall displays, the fabric is often used to make cushions or home décor items. This haori’s could also be used for display.
CLEANING: Vintage silk items should not be washed. They can usually be dry cleaned. Old stains are not usually removable and some finishes like gold paint may be diminished by dry cleaning.
All information is to the best of my knowledge. Please bear in mind, that colours do not always show absolutely accurately on photos and on monitors although they should be close to reality.
My items are mostly vintage and are not returnable unless grossly mis-described, so please check the details and measurements before bidding/buying. Please be aware that vintage clothing does not usually 'look like new' even when it is in excellent condition. Some slight general signs of ageing and use should be expected. If these are conspicuous, they will be mentioned in the description.
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