Accession Number
2005/1.358

Title
Crested kimono with elaborate floral wax resist designs (hageito, nandina, biwa, camelia, daffodils, omoto, plums, thistles) against crackled pink-on-taupe ground, with embroidery in metallic threads

Artist(s)
Minagawa Gekka

Object Creation Date
circa 1950

Medium & Support
crepe silk with colorful wax resist design and metallic thread embroidery

Dimensions
57 7/8 in x 53 1/8 in (147 cm x 135 cm);21 1/4 in (54 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi

Label copy
Gallery Rotation Spring/Summer 2012
Minagawa Gekka
Japan, 1892–1987
Kimono
Showa period (1926–1989)
circa 1950
Crepe silk with colorful wax resist design and metallic thread embroidery
Gift of Howard and Patricia Yamaguchi, 2005/1.358
In this exuberant kimono, Minagawa Gekka took great advantage of the wide, flat surface of the garment, effectively treating it as a canvas on which to depict flowers blooming in profusion. The design combines a mix of flowers and trees that bloom from fall through very early spring: nandina on the left sleeve, plum, chrysanthemums, thistles, amaranths, camellias, and narcissus on the front and back, makino (Chloranthus glaber) and more camellias on the right sleeve. Due to the sheer profusion of auspicious winter blooms, it is possible that this kimono was commissioned for a New Year’s celebration.

Subject matter
In this exuberant kimono, Minagawa Gekka took great advantage of the wide, flat surface of the kimono, effectively treating it as a canvas on which to depict flowers blooming in profusion. There are mix of fall flowers, winter flowers and trees: nandin on the left sleeve, plum, chrysanthemums, thistles, amaranths, camellias and narcissus on the front and back, makino (Chloranthus glaber, with red berries) and more camellias on the right sleeve. Due to the sheer profusion of auspicious winter flowers, it is possible that this kimono was commissioned for a New Year’s celebration.

Physical Description
This is a pink silk crepe kimono with wax-resist patterns, hand-painted design and metallic threads embroidery. The kimono is in full length and has elongated sleeves. The fabric is dyed with pink, leaving the family crest under the collar and the floral design part white. The red scale pattern is added using wax-resist technique. Then the design of multiple kinds of plants is hand-painted with white, red, yellow, and pale and blue green colors. There are mix of fall and winter flowers and trees: nandin on the left sleeve, plum, chrysanthemums, thistles, amaranths, camellias and narcissus on the front and back, makino (Chloranthus glaber, with red berries) and more camellias on the right sleeve. Embroidery is added in various metallic threads around the contours of flowers and leaves.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
haori

Additional Object Classification(s)
Textile

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
costumes
embroidery
floral patterns
kimonos
silk (silkworm material)
textiles