This boy's silk miyamairi kimono, created for his first ceremonial visit to a Shinto shrine. The dominant image is a powerful carp, or koi, leaping energetically from churning blue and white waves. This central motif is rendered with a sophisticated blend of yuzen resist-dyeing, delicate freehand painting, and exquisite embroidery highlights. The dramatic composition is set against a black silk background, which transitions into a creamy, sky-like space, grounding the scene with branches of a resilient pine tree.

The imagery is a potent allegory for a boy's life, drawing from the ancient Chinese legend of the carp that bravely swims upstream against the current of the Yellow River. According to the legend, if the carp can successfully leap over the treacherous rapids at a point known as the Dragon Gate, it will transform into a powerful dragon. This story has made the jumping carp a preeminent symbol of perseverance, courage, and the attainment of high goals. By clothing a son in this image for his first shrine visit, parents express their profound wish for him to overcome life's obstacles and achieve great success and status. The inclusion of the pine tree, an evergreen, further reinforces this wish, as it symbolizes longevity, strength, and virtuous character.

Its measurements are 44 inches (112 cm) by 44 inches (112 cm).

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