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The garment features a prominent white mon against the dark silk gauze, depicting a stylized floral motif that appears to be a variant of the kiku (chrysanthemum) or possibly a paulownia (kiri) design. The crest is rendered in a bold, geometric style characteristic of Japanese heraldic art, with flowing, curved lines that create an organic yet highly symmetrized composition. The design incorporates scrolling tendrils and leaf-like elements that radiate from a central point, embodying the Japanese aesthetic principle of asymmetrical balance within overall symmetry.
The artistic treatment reflects the refined minimalism of Japanese decorative arts, where negative space plays as crucial a role as the positive design elements. This approach echoes the broader Japanese artistic philosophy found in everything from garden design to calligraphy, where restraint and suggestion are valued over elaborate ornamentation. Given the garment's association with Kyogen theater and the Shishimai Lion Dance Festival, the crest likely served both as family identification and as a marker of the wearer's artistic and social status within the traditional performing arts community. The bold contrast between the light crest and dark fabric would have been particularly effective on stage, ensuring visibility during theatrical performances while maintaining the elegant restraint characteristic of Japanese textile design.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, with a height of 41 inches (104 cm).