This striking textile originates from Japan’s early Showa period (1926–1940) and is a scholarly example of the avant-garde, "modern girl" (moga) aesthetics that revolutionized pre-war urban fashion. Measuring 14.5 inches by 60 inches (37 cm x 152 cm), the piece is a complete panel from a disassembled kimono, preserved in very good condition. It is crafted from meisen silk, a durable and innovative fabric characterized by its use of pre-dyed threads to create bold, ikat-like patterns with slightly blurred edges.

The visual narrative is defined by a rhythmic, vertical zigzag motif that bisects the panel into two distinct color fields: a vibrant cerulean blue and a muted sage green. Overlaid on this geometric division are abstract, pod-like or floral-inspired shapes rendered in a palette of ivory, warm terracotta, and deep navy. The thick, black undulating line that connects these forms creates a sense of continuous upward energy, reflecting the era's fascination with Art Deco and Western modernist movements. This graphic composition exemplifies how meisen textiles moved away from classical botanical realism toward bold, non-traditional silhouettes and sophisticated color-blocking.

This artwork is featured on page 163 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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