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This miyamairi kimono presents a striking tripartite composition with deep teal sections framing a central cream-colored band, creating a dramatic color field that serves as the canvas for delicately hand-painted decorative elements. The motifs include stylized shishi lion manes rendered in flowing gray brushstrokes, peony blossoms, and pale blue folding fans (sensu), each carrying profound symbolic significance for a child's Shinto baptism ceremony. The shishi manes represent protective power and courage, the flowers symbolize purity and longevity, while the fans suggest prosperity and the gradual unfolding of life's possibilities.
The artistic execution reveals influences from classical Japanese painting traditions, particularly in the fluid, confident brushwork that captures the dynamic energy of the swirling manes and the delicate modeling of the floral forms. The detail images showcase the remarkable technical skill of the artist, who has created a sense of dimensional depth through subtle gradations of gray ink and strategic use of negative space. The compositional arrangement demonstrates the Japanese aesthetic principle of asymmetrical balance, with motifs distributed across the garment in a seemingly natural yet carefully orchestrated rhythm. The irregular, cloud-like edges between the colored sections add visual interest while suggesting the ethereal boundaries between earthly and spiritual realms, appropriate for a garment worn during this sacred childhood ritual. The padded hem would have provided both practical warmth and the weighted drape necessary for the kimono's formal ceremonial function.
Its measurements are 33 inches (84 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 39 inches (99 cm) in height.