A Section from a Hand Painted Boy's Kimono: Hemp Cloth

mid to late nineteenth century
56" x 10 1/4", 142 cm x 26 cm

This is a hand painted section from a 19th century boy's hemp or ramie kimono. 

It is a fragment taken from the body of the kimono; the piece was cut so one of the selvedge edges is missing in order to create a kimono small enough for a child.

The hand painted images are fairly elaborate and are of an auspicious nature.

The image in the foreground shows a deftly hand painted fan showing pine; the image in back shows a similar fan showing bamboo.

The pine is a symbolic as it conveys a wish for long life. The bamboo is a symbol of resilience since it bends but does not break.

Centered is a kamon or family crest which shows the crossed feather motif.

Please note the small holes on the piece which is not surprising given its age.

All in all this is a wonderfully good kimono fragment with very good age. More than likely it dates to the late Edo period, or the middle of the nineteenth century.

Recommended.