- An exquisite, burgundy-russet iro muji kimono, with magnificent Edo Procession textile art. A yuzen kimono (hand painted textile art), with kinkoma (couched gold embroidered detailing). A very high class, top quality garment. A rare find in this colour too.
The Edo procession was called Sankin-kōtai (alternate attendance) and was a policy of the Tokugawa shogunate during most of the Edo period of Japanese history, this law was in force from 1642 to 1862 (apart from 8 years during the 1700s, under Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune's rule). It required each feudal lords (daimyō) to alternate living for a year in his fief (home territoriy) and in Edo, the capital of Japan at that time. The daimyos' wives and children had to live in Edo full time, effectively hostages. This ensured several things, including keeping Edo safe from attack by any daimyo thinking of over-runnning it to take power, keeping them short of money, since these processions to and from Edo, requiring the transporting of vast amounts of goods and people, cost a fortune and kept the daimyo both busy and short of money to spend on rebellion. They also had to travel to and from Edo along a route dictated by the shogunate.
It is very similar to what Louis XIV of France did at Versailles with the nobles of France.
Each daimyō was also required to provide a number of soldiers (samurai) who accompanied and protected the daimyō on the processions, as well as providing soldiers for an army for the Shogun, should he need one.
This requirement in Japan meant that there were constant processions to and from Edo and they had some good effects for the population, such as excellent, well maintained roads built along the main route to cope with them and a stimulated the economy because many people made a living selling goods and providing accommodation and food to the travelers along the route.
The daimyos' yearly processions back and forth to the shogun's capital were festive occasions, and everyone turned out to watch them pass, after all, everybody loves a parade.
- Pure silk
- Hand tailored
- May have shitsuke, which is large, loose stitching put in to keep the edges beat during while not in use. They just get pulled out prior to wearing.
- Made and bought in Japan
- Type: A komon (all-over pattern, every day wear) kimono.
Condition: Excellent.
Measurements:
Sleeve end to sleeve end 128cm
Sleeve seam to sleeve seam (yuki) 5cm
Length 54cm
Daimyo Procession Iro Muji Kimono
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 lengthSome 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