This sheer gauze summer silk kimono is a cooling and elegant example of ro weave textile art, designed specifically for the humid summer months. The garment features a deep indigo-blue ground with a transparent, horizontal gauze structure that allows for maximum breathability. This ethereal base is decorated with a crisp white pattern of stylized bamboo leaves (sasa) and flowing water motifs (kanze-mizu), which create a refreshing visual sense of a cool breeze by a stream.
The bamboo leaf is a classic auspicious symbol representing resilience and flexibility, while the swirling water patterns signify purification and the fluid passage of time. The high-contrast, two-tone palette of navy and white reflects the sophisticated urban taste of the mid-20th century, offering a clean, architectural aesthetic. This piece beautifully exemplifies the Japanese mastery of seasonal dressing, where the choice of weave and motif work together to provide both physical and psychological relief from the summer heat.
It measures 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 61 inches (155 cm) tall.