A 19th Century Silk and Cotton Child's Boro Under-Kimono: Semamori

mid to late nineteenth century
23" x 16", 58.5 cm x 40.5 cm

This is a tattered and beautiful child's half under-kimono which is hand stitched from recycled pieces of silk and cotton: the exterior of the garment is silk and the interior is cotton.

A lovely feature and one to notice is the vertical line of red stitching on the back, top, center of the garment: this is semamori, a stitched amulet meant to ward off evil.

The small garment beautifully shows its age in the fine assortment of cloth used to make it. The katazome dyed silk on the back of the under kimono shows a charming view of geese flying low over fields.

The pieced cotton interior is a joy to behold as the arrangement of fragments is both of good variety and artfully placed.

A recommended and delightful thing to own.