A Hand Painted Hemp or Ramie Katsugi: Kimono Shaped Veil

mid nineteenth century
54" x 47", 137 cm x 119.5 cm

This is a rare and beautiful garment, it is a katsugi or a kazuki. It is a kimono-shaped head covering that was worn by well to do women when traveling or leaving their homes.

This particular one is woven from extremely fine hemp or ramie yarns and its center section is delicately hand painted with scenes of a pastoral landscape. 

Because this is not a kimono to be worn as a garment, but to be draped over the head, it is constructed differently than a kimono is, which its collar area much lower than on a standard kimono.

Also because it was meant to be used as a veil, the garment is lightweight. 

It is mostly dyed in a very deep toned indigo color on top and bottom and its center section is dyed in a pale blue, a difficult tone to achieve and which in Japan is referred to as asagi iro.

Some katsugi are intricately and elaborately stencil dyed but as this one has rather restrained decoration we are to assume it was owned by a women of some means, but not extravagantly so.

These items are hard to find and to present one here for sale is a pleasure.

Very recommended.