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This vibrant haori exemplifies the innovative spirit of meisen omeshi silk production during Japan's interwar period, when traditional floral motifs were reimagined through modern weaving techniques and bold color sensibilities. The design features two of the most revered flowers in Japanese culture - peonies and chrysanthemums - rendered in a striking palette of golden yellow, deep burgundy, forest green, and silvery gray arranged in a dynamic checkerboard composition. The peony, known as the "king of flowers," symbolizes honor, wealth, and masculine energy, while the chrysanthemum represents longevity, rejuvenation, and imperial dignity, making this combination particularly auspicious and culturally significant.
The artistic execution demonstrates the sophisticated ikat-like technique characteristic of meisen weaving, where threads are resist-dyed before weaving to create the slightly blurred, painterly quality visible in the detail image. This technique allows for subtle gradations and organic irregularities that give the floral forms a sense of movement and life, while the geometric grid structure reflects modernist design principles that were influencing Japanese decorative arts during this period. The bold scale of the motifs and the contrasting color blocks show influences from contemporary Art Deco and early modernist movements, representing a departure from the more subtle, naturalistic approaches of earlier periods.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at a height of 38 inches (97 cm).