A Mended and Re-Purposed Shibori Han Juban: Half Under Kimono

early twentieth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 30 3/4" x 48 1/2", 78 cm x 123 cm

This beautiful indigo dyed cotton garment is a shibori han juban or a half under-kimono. Its bodice is of indigo dyed cotton shibori that is arranged in diagonal rows. The shibori shows some very attractive repairs and, as well, when looking at the back of this garment we can tell from the pattern of the fading that this han juban was hand stitched from re-purporsed cloth.

The sleeves on the garment seem to be of a lightweight wool and are probably not original to the garment. The straight seams of Japanese garments allow for easy alterations depending on the purpose for wearing a garment or if an element of it needs to be refreshed or changed for any reason, so over the lifetime of a garment sleeves and collars were routinely changed.

This shibori han juban is in good, used, repairaed condition with relatively clear, bright indigo tones and nice, strong shibori dyeing.

In good, used condition consistent with its age and with the wonderful surprises of the expert mending.

Very attractive.