This hand-painted silk panel originates from Japan and dates to the mid-Showa period (1960–1980). Measuring 13 inches by 60 inches (33 cm x 152 cm), the textile is a section of rinzu silk, a premium damask weave favored for formal garments due to its lustrous finish and intricate self-patterned background. This piece was extracted from a miyamairi kimono, a specialized ceremonial robe used for a young girl's first visit to a Shinto shrine. The panel features a striking color-blocked arrangement, where a central horizontal band of deep teal-blue—containing a white circular mon (family crest)—is flanked by cream-colored sections.
The visual narrative is a masterful display of traditional matsu (pine) and flowing water motifs, which symbolize longevity and the continuous flow of life. In the upper section, teal and blue water currents swirl gracefully across the cream ground, while the lower section features clusters of pine trees nestled amidst similar aquatic currents. The pine boughs are rendered in varied shades of forest green and moss, accented with fine gold details. These hand-painted elements are layered over a woven sayagata (interlocking key fret) background, a traditional pattern often used on children's ceremonial wear to represent strength and the Buddhist concept of unending continuity.