A Tattered Silk Piece Constructed Han Juban: Beautiful Fragments of Cloth

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
26" x 22", 66 cm x 56 cm

This tattered marvel is a han juban or a half under kimono that has been stitched of re-purposed snippets and pieces of old silk.

Colorfully playful garments like these were worn as undergarments: the jubilant arrangement of color, pattern and scale of pieces was freely created by women who more than likely wore a kimono of subtle shades, muted colors or small patterns. This type of loud colored garment was something of a secret pleasure that was entirely unlike the kimono which covered it.

As is obvious this garment is worn and in some cases "worn out." Its sleeves have been removed and all we have left is its bodice. You will note  the frayed areas of the sleeve as well as rips, tears and loss.

Still, this is a marvelous thing to look at and by hanging it on the wall it will give years if not decades of visual pleasure.

This is a delightful, well-worn traditional garment from times past.