A Patched, Mended and Sashiko Stitched Kimono: Heavy Cotton

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 49" x 44", 124.5 cm x 112 cm 

This is a cotton kimono that is shown inside-out to highlight the patches and plentiful sashiko stitched mending that fortifies this kimono and strengthens the cloth.

The kimono is starched so it is a bit stiff or scratchy to the hand.

There is a good amount of patching as can be seen on the accompanying detail photos--and there is also patching: some of it is to reinforce cloth and some of it seems to fill out areas of loss, perhaps as is evident on the sleeve areas.

This kimono, when seen as it would have been worn, with the proper outside easily seen, does not indicate that the inside (shown here) is as rich in mending as it is. If on the street you passed the person wearing this kimono as intended it is likely you would not realize that there was so much going on on its other side.

It is a handsome, old garment whose ample repair adds not only visual interest but also tells the story of how much attention was paid to cloth and garments in old Japan.