This elegant silk dounuki (inner kimono) demonstrated how traditional shibori resist-dyeing techniques could be employed to create garments of subtle beauty and refined understatement. The design presents a striking interplay of vertical striping patterns achieved through multiple shibori methods, creating a composition that balances bold graphic impact with the delicate irregularities inherent to hand-resist processes.

The artistic execution reveals a masterful understanding of how different shibori techniques can work in harmony to create visual rhythm and textural variety. The central panels feature fields of tiny white shibori dots against deep teal backgrounds that shimmer with organic vitality, while the flanking stripes demonstrate arashi shibori (pole-wrapping technique) that produces the characteristic diagonal striations in golden brown and cream tones. This combination creates a sophisticated interplay between the ordered geometry of vertical stripes and the natural randomness of hand-tied resist patterns, reflecting the period's aesthetic appreciation for both structural clarity and organic beauty. The muted color palette—deep teals, warm browns, and cream whites against the subdued purple-gray ground—demonstrates a refined taste.

As an inner garment, this kimono represents a particularly Japanese concept of hidden refinement, where the most exquisite craftsmanship might be reserved for layers unseen by casual observers but appreciated by the wearer and intimate companions. The scattered small botanical motifs on the lower portion add delicate punctuation to the overall composition without disrupting its serene harmony. The choice to employ shibori techniques for an inner garment speaks to the democratic spirit of this ancient craft, which could transform simple silk through patient handiwork into textile poetry. This dounuki thus embodies the Japanese aesthetic principle of iki—sophisticated restraint that reveals deeper beauty through subtle means.

It measures 49 inches (124 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and stands at 62 inches (157 cm) in height.

‍