This ra silk kimono features boldly abstracted fan motifs (sensu) rendered in vibrant emerald green and golden yellow against a deep charcoal ground, creating a dramatic tonal contrast that speaks to the influence of contemporary Art Deco sensibilities on traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The fans appear as large, irregular semicircular forms scattered across the kimono's surface in an apparently random yet carefully balanced composition that suggests the kind of asymmetrical dynamism favored by modernist designers of the era.

The shibori resist-dyeing technique employed here transforms the traditional fan motif into something approaching pure abstraction, with the organic, slightly uneven edges of each form lending a painterly quality. The closeup images reveal the remarkable technical achievement of this textile, showing the intricate linear patterning created through the shibori process, where fine resist lines create a subtle textural grid that adds dimensional depth to the colored areas. The fan, a symbol deeply embedded in Japanese culture representing not only the practical tool for cooling but also concepts of prosperity, good fortune, and the unfolding of life's possibilities, is here reduced to its essential geometric essence while retaining its cultural resonance. The sheer, unlined ra weave structure allows light to filter through the fabric, creating an interplay of transparency and opacity that enhances the modern, almost architectural quality of the design, positioning this kimono at the fascinating intersection of traditional craft techniques and avant-garde aesthetic vision.

It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at a height of 55 inches (140 cm).

This artwork is featured on page 245 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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