A Hand Plied Hemp or Ramie Child's Boro Kimono: Indigo Dyed

late nineteenth century
38 3/4" x 33", 98.5 cm x 84 cm

This is a lovely, old indigo dyed hemp or ramie kimono which would have been worn by a child, perhaps one today of 5 or 6 years.  The hand plied, hand woven hemp or ramie is woven quite loose and it has a translucent quality, very much so when shown against the light.  The cloth is almost as loosely woven as mosquito netting.

The two sleeves are recycled from what appears to be a larger piece, perhaps an adult kimono, as they are hand stitched from three separate pieces.  The shoulder area is patched with three indigo dyed patches; the chest area shows one hand stitched patched.  The inside of the kimono is being featured here as it is this side which shows the hand applied mending.

The color is a rich, warm, medium-to-dark blue and the asa cloth has a wonderful, crinkly hand.  

Of wonderful age and of great thread integrity, this small-scale kimono is a charming example of what was worn by a child in old Japan.

Very attractive.