This silk kimono presents a bold and dynamic interpretation of the traditional yabane (arrow-feather) motif through the innovative medium of silk-screening, demonstrating the period's embrace of modern printing technologies alongside classical Japanese design elements. The garment features dramatic vertical bands that create a striking rhythmic composition across the entire surface, with broad sections of deep teal blue adorned with tiny white speckled patterns alternating with bands of rich black scattered with multicolored yabane motifs in yellow, white, and turquoise. These vertical zones are punctuated by cream-colored bands accented with thin red lines, creating a complex interplay of color and pattern that energizes the traditional kimono silhouette.

The aesthetic strongly reflects the influence of early 20th-century modernist movements, particularly the bold graphic sensibilities emerging from European avant-garde design and the growing international Art Deco movement. The large-scale vertical banding and the way traditional motifs are abstracted and scattered across contrasting grounds shows a departure from classical Japanese textile composition, where patterns typically flow more organically across the garment's surface.

The overall effect is remarkably contemporary, with its high-contrast color scheme and geometric organization anticipating mid-century modern design principles. The juxtaposition of the densely patterned teal sections against the more sparsely decorated black bands creates a visual tension that speaks to the period's fascination with industrial aesthetics and machine-age precision, while the traditional yabane motifs maintain a connection to Japan's rich cultural heritage.

It measures 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 53 inches (135 cm) in height.

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This artwork is featured on page 270 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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