A Patched and Mended Cotton Kimono: Tattered Boro Coat

$395.00 USD

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
48" x 48", 122 cm x 122 cm

This is an old cotton kimono that is being shown here inside-out. Most boro cloth is displayed in this fashion because the patched and mended details are best noticed and admired this way.

This kimono most likely was lined and padded, however what we have here is a nicely tattered, very well-patched boro kimono with good age. The bottom hem is unfinished and the collar on the front is also ragged and undone. The fact the collar is ragged and undone is an advantage as we are able to see layers of very nice patching on this area of the kimono.

The base cloth is a hand woven, narrow blue and grey-white striped cotton, quite typical of old kimono and this one is estimated to have been woven during the Meiji era (1868-1912). The patches on the kimono are also old which is what you would like to see on a good, old boro textile.

There are some holes here and there but none of them show a great loss--they are mainly horizontal tears to the kimono and they do not obstruct the visual appreciation of the piece.

A very good, old boro kimono.

Recommended.

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