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Bold Roses Meisen Kimono
  • An antique, meisen silk kimono, with rose design. Meisen kimonos were very popular in the early 1900s. Roses were then considered Western and exotic in Japan.
  • Meisen silk is similar to soft, silk taffeta, with a slight hint of body to it, helping it hold its shape, although it is also very soft. It feels lovely. Meisen silk, generally crisp and supple, is one of the Japanese silks fabricated by weaving pre-dyed threads, utilizing the tie-and-resist ikat technique. In this process, the silk yarn is first stretched on a frame. Selected design areas are tightly bound to prevent the dye from penetrating and the hanks of threads are immersed in the dye pots. The bound portions of the yarns resist the dye and when woven, as a result of the threads not being perfectly aligned, create shapes with charmingly uneven, slightly fuzzy edges. Meisen silk was a particularly popular fabric for casual kimonos between the Taisho era and the beginning of the Showa era, i.e. in early 1900s, in part because it was more affordable than previous silk textiles, and in part because the designs, frequently drawing on Western influences, seemed adventurous and innovative. Even today they retain a contemporary sensibility.
  • Meisen kimonos from the early 20th century tend to be a little shorter than later kimonos, though still very long. Meisen kimonos are now sought after by kimono collectors, as the supply of really good condition ones rapidly gets smaller.
  • Please don't make the mistake of thinking that 100 years old means it has any weaknesses. New silk kimonos have always been so very expensive that the Japanese take immense care of them, so they often stay in exquisite condition for a century or more, like this one.
  • Check out this one here, in a picture from the Tokyo Fashion site www.tokyofashion.com.
  • Awase (lined).
  • Made in and bought from Japan
  • These Japanese garments should be hung out to air 4 times per year, if not worn frequently, just as the Japanese do. Hang your garment to air when you receive it too, as it will have been stored for a while.
  • May have white shitsuke (basting stitches) around some edges, on the outside of the garment. These are simply to keep it neat during storage and just get pulled out before use
  • Type: A komon kimono. This style is considered casual and may be worn around town or dressed up with a formal obi for a restaurant. Both married and unmarried women may wear this type of kimono. The most useful of all the kimono types


Condition: 
Excellent - marked lining - see photos

Measurements:
Sleeve end to sleeve end 131cm
Sleeve seam to sleeve seam 65cm
Length 155cm

Bold Roses Meisen Kimono

SKU: wk878
£79.00 Regular Price
£67.15Sale Price
  • Kimono require a sash to hold them closed. This is always bought separately. Men usually wear a kaku obi with their kimono or, casually at home, a soft heko obi

    Sizing: Japanese clothing is usually of adjustable fit, being mostly wrap-over or tie-to-fit items, so most garments fit a range of sizes. Because of this (and only really knowing my own size anyway) I can't really advise anyone on the fit. Please judge fit from the measurements given. Check length given for the garment, then measure from base of back of your neck down to judge that length on you
    Also measure from centre back of neck, along shoulder and down the arm to the wrist, then double that and compare it with the sleeve end measurement to judge sleeve length

    Some of my garments have white stitching (shitsuke) round the outside edges to keep the edges flat during long periods of storage, these stitches just get pulled out before wearing the garment

    Cleaning: Be very cautious about washing kimonos. All cleaning is done entirely at your own risk, as is standard with all vintage garments and items. I would advise only dry cleaning

    Colour: Please be aware that different monitors display colour slightly differently. Therefore the colour in the photos and description is a guide only

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