This meisen silk kimono displays a bold, modernist interpretation of the traditional tonbo (dragonfly) motif, rendered in a striking geometric style that reflects the design innovations of the interwar period. The dragonflies are depicted in coral-red and turquoise against a dark brown ground, with stylized water eddies and flowing linear elements that suggest movement across the textile surface.

The artistic approach demonstrates strong influence from Art Deco and modernist design movements that were reshaping Japanese decorative arts during the 1930s. Rather than the naturalistic dragonfly depictions found in classical Japanese art, these insects are abstracted into dynamic, angular forms that emphasize speed and motion. The repetitive patterning and bold color contrasts reflect the machine-age aesthetic and the influence of European avant-garde design on Japanese textile production.

The meisen weaving technique - a type of ikat (resist-dyeing) process - was particularly suited to these modernist designs, allowing for the crisp graphic quality visible in the dragonfly forms and geometric elements. The technique's ability to create sharp-edged patterns made it ideal for the period's fascination with industrial imagery and streamlined forms.

Dragonflies held special significance in Japanese culture as symbols of courage, strength, and victory - making them popular motifs during this period of national modernization. However, the contemporary treatment here transforms the traditional symbol into something distinctly modern, reflecting Japan's embrace of international design trends while maintaining cultural symbolism.

It measures 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, with a height of 56 inches (142 cm).

This artwork is featured on page 187 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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