This extraordinary rinzu silk kimono features dramatically oversized hollyhock leaf motifs (aoi) that dominate the composition with their sweeping, organic forms. Each leaf is rendered as a magnificent display of geometric precision within natural form - the broad, heart-shaped leaves are divided into radiating sections of brilliant golden yellow and deep magenta, outlined in pristine white and connected by flowing turquoise stems that create graceful movement across the dark ground.

The stenciling technique demonstrates exceptional mastery, with each color area precisely defined and the complex geometric internal patterns perfectly aligned. The detail image reveals the sophisticated layering within each leaf section, where fine parallel lines and chevron patterns add textural richness and dimensional quality to the broad color fields.

This design embodies the quintessential Art Deco aesthetic through its bold scale, dramatic color contrasts, and geometric stylization of natural forms. The vivid palette - golden yellow, fuchsia magenta, turquoise blue, and silver-white against deep black - reflects the period's embrace of synthetic dyes and the international taste for vibrant, jewel-like colors that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s.

The underlying sayagata-patterned rinzu damask adds another layer of visual sophistication. This traditional interlocking geometric pattern, visible in the detail image as subtle textural variations in the fabric surface, provides a refined counterpoint to the bold painted design while demonstrating the continued importance of classical Japanese weaving techniques.

The artistic impact is reminiscent of both Japanese screen painting traditions and contemporary Western decorative arts movements. The large-scale botanical motifs echo the bold compositions found in Rimpa school paintings, while the geometric treatment and color palette align with Art Deco's international aesthetic vocabulary.

The flowing arrangement of the leaves creates a sense of natural movement despite their highly stylized treatment. The turquoise connecting stems weave through the composition like decorative ribbons, unifying the scattered leaf forms and adding an element of linear grace that prevents the bold shapes from becoming static.

Measuring 51 inches (130 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and standing 59 inches (150 cm) tall

This artwork is featured on page 213 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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