A Fragment from a Hand Painted Boy's Hemp Kimono: Mid 19th Century

mid to late nineteenth century
42" x 13", 106.5 cm x 33 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 hand painted images are fairly elaborate and are of an auspicious nature.

The image in the foreground shows a deftly hand painted trio of flying cranes; the image in back shows a tortoise and bamboo: this combination of tortoise and crane 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 at the top of the length above a tight cluster of small holes is a kamon or family crest which shows the crossed feather motif.

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.