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This exceptionally rare miyamairi haori represents a fascinating departure from traditional ceremonial formats, as such garments for Shinto shrine blessings typically take kimono form rather than the shorter haori jacket style. The elaborate composition unfolds as a sweeping landscape narrative that transforms the garment into a miniature painted scroll, featuring soaring cranes against a dramatic black sky punctuated by stylized clouds, while below, an intricate mountainous terrain reveals temples, pagodas, bridges, and a treasure ship navigating stylized waves at the hem. The sophisticated interplay of painting and embroidery techniques—including simple stitching, sagara knots, and couching work—creates remarkable textural variety that enhances the visual depth of this complex scene, with each architectural element rendered in meticulous detail that speaks to the highest levels of craftsmanship available during this golden age of Japanese textile arts.
The symbolic program of this garment weaves together multiple auspicious themes appropriate for a young boy's spiritual introduction: the cranes symbolize longevity and good fortune, the mountainous temples suggest spiritual protection and divine blessing, while the treasure ship (takarabune) at the base promises material prosperity and the fulfillment of wishes. The composition's vertical flow from the celestial realm of flying birds through the terrestrial world of sacred architecture down to the maritime realm of fortune creates a comprehensive cosmological blessing wrapped around the child's body. The rarity of this haori format suggests it may have been commissioned for a family of particular social prominence or artistic sophistication, representing not just ceremonial function but also a collector's appreciation for innovative interpretations of traditional forms.
Measuring 35 inches (89 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 32 inches (81 cm) in height.