This masterful textile originates from the Taisho period (1912–1926) and serves as a scholarly example of the opulent, multi-layered craftsmanship reserved for high-status formal attire. Measuring 15 inches by 42 inches (38 cm x 107 cm), the piece represents a significant panel from a disassembled kimono, preserved in very good condition. The composition is set against a deep midnight-black silk ground, which provides a dramatic, high-contrast substrate for the celestial and terrestrial imagery.
The visual narrative is dominated by a majestic, ascending tsuru (crane), a classical symbol of longevity and marital fidelity. The crane is rendered using a sophisticated combination of yuzen painting and sagara embroidery (knot stitch), which provides a dense, moss-like texture to the ivory plumage of the wings and breast. The bird soars above stylized, dark rolling mountains and a turbulent sea of grey-blue waves, all meticulously detailed with hand-painted highlights that create a sense of atmospheric depth. Above and behind the crane, swirling ink-like clouds break to reveal the night sky, reflecting the "Taisho Roman" mastery of blending traditional auspicious motifs with a moody, romanticist painterly style.