A Shibori Dyed Yukata: Arimatsu

early to mid twentieth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 55" x 46"

This is a woman's indigo dyed cotton shibori yukata, a yukata being a casual, unlined, cotton kimono. The expert shibori dyeing was no doubt done in Arimatsu, Japan's shibori "capital."

The large scale shibori design shown on the yukata is one of a pattern of fans against a background of a gently meandering stream. As yukata were often worn in the hot Japanese summers, there is a tendency to decorate these kimono with "cooling" images such as what we see here.

The yukata is in good, used, condition and any of the darkened areas that appear on the photographs are shadow, not staining.

This is a very wearable and good looking garment, and one that still has a great deal of life in it.