A Meisen Silk Haori: Large Scale Plaid

mid twentieth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 29" x 50", 73.5 cm x 127 cm

This is a haori or kimono jacket made of Meisen silk, a kind of "everyday" silk that was developed in the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) at a time when Japan's strict sumptuary laws were lifted: these laws dictated what people were allowed to wear and consume (among many other things), notable among the strictures was a ban against common people wearing silk.

Meisen represents the democratization of silk in a changing Japan and it was consumed readily.  Its boom market prompted huge manufacture, which, of course, meant that countless new designs needed to be developed.

Meisen is a kind of machine aided kasuri cloth, the quality of silk being pedestrian as these were kimono that were not expensive and were meant to be worn on a regular basis as "town wear."

The silk of this haori feels a bit like taffeta and is half lined in back with a softly patterned, minimally designed cloth. It is in good, almost new condition with its cording still intact.

The large scale plaid--it feels almost too large in scale for the size of the garment--is done in saturated tones of red, green, yellow, black and white. It is really beautiful.

A nicely designed Meisen garment, very attractive and still wearable.