This miyamairi kimono presents a masterful depiction of the sacred Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks) of Futami. The composition creates a dramatic seascape where the iconic paired rocks emerge from stylized waves, connected by the sacred shimenawa rope that marks them as a holy site in Shinto belief, while elegant cranes (tsuru) soar through the misty atmosphere above. The artistic execution demonstrates a remarkable synthesis of traditional yamato-e landscape painting techniques with the decorative arts, employing subtle gradations from the dark upper register representing night or storm clouds to the luminous middle ground where the rocks stand as eternal sentinels, and finally to the dynamic wave patterns at the hem that echo the famous motifs of Hokusai and other ukiyo-e masters.

The symbolic resonance of this imagery makes it particularly appropriate for a boy's ceremonial kimono, as the Meoto Iwa represent marital harmony, fertility, and the sacred union of male and female principles in Shinto cosmology, while the cranes add layers of meaning related to longevity, fidelity, and good fortune. The overall composition, with its careful balance of naturalistic observation and decorative stylization, embodies the Taishō era's aesthetic philosophy that sought to honor traditional Japanese artistic values while embracing new approaches to color, form, and spatial organization. This garment would have been worn during the child's shrine visit, connecting him symbolically to Japan's most sacred landscape and invoking divine protection for his future happiness and prosperity.

Measurements:  25 inches (64 cm) across the shoulders and 39.5 inches (100 cm) in height

This artwork is featured on pages 242-245 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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