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This small girl's fine kasuri silk kimono presents an intricate all-over pattern of interlocking diamond motifs in soft creamy white and beige tones with subtle orange centers, woven against a deep indigo-black ground using the traditional kasuri ikat technique, where threads are resist-dyed prior to weaving to achieve the characteristic blurred edges and textured depth that evoke a sense of organic fuzziness and handcrafted authenticity. Highlighting the upper back is an embroidered semori protective charm, a small auspicious symbol—depicted here as a turquoise-accented embroidered motif—intended to ward off evil spirits and ensure the child's safety, a common folk practice in children's garments to invoke divine protection and well-being during the vulnerable early years. The diamond patterns, reminiscent of hishi or igetaj designs, symbolize vitality, prosperity, and the life-giving essence of water sources like wells, reflecting wishes for growth, good fortune, and resilience in Japanese cultural traditions, particularly apt for a girl's kimono evoking harmony with nature and enduring strength amid the era's social changes. This piece embodies the Meiji period's transitional artistry in textiles, where traditional folk weaving techniques persisted alongside emerging Western influences that challenged and innovated Japanese dyeing methods.
Its measurements are approximately 32 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 36 inches in height, or about 81 centimeters by 91 centimeters.