Kimono Item Number: 3141/11 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Kimono made of light grey silk in the Iro tomesode (色留袖) style, hand-painted around the bottom with an image of flowing blue water and waterfalls amongst grey rocks that support pines and other trees. At back is a small enclosed carriage. Tiny flecks of gold embroidery can be seen amongst the stones and foliage. The scene continues on the interior bottom of the kimono. There are five family crests or kamon (家紋) of creeping woodsorrel in a circle known as Kagehoso chūkage katabami (陰輪細中陰片喰) on the front and back of both shoulders and the back of the neck. The kimono is open at the front, and sleeves have short trailing panels with openings for the wrists at top outer corner. The garment is lined with red fabric, and is padded around the hem known as fuki (袘).

History Of Use

Iro tomesode (色留袖; coloured tomesode), a style of formal kimono. Tomesode has short sleeves and patterns below the waist line, usually on the lower part of the garment, and has family crests or kamon (家紋). Worn by married and unmarried women on formal occasions such as weddings.

Narrative

Purchased by donor from a Kyoto-based dealer in San Francisco.