A Very Small Han Juban: Tiny Sized Child's Under Kimono

late nineteenth century
shoulder to hem x sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 11 1/4" x 25 1/4", 28.5 cm x 61.5 cm

This is a very worn and tiny jacket--or under kimono--that was used by a child. It is hand stitched from re-purposed indigo dyed katazome cotton whose repeat is large in scale to the small garment.

The collar area is threadbare and seems to have been dyed in safflower, a light fugitive natural dye that can yield a pink tone.

This little garment is adorable in person because of its small size and it is also an interesting historical document showing how children in old Japan were dressed.