Base fabric: plain weave

Size style: Naga-haori

Family crests (mon) present: none

Dimensions: 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 37 inches (94 cm) in height

This composition is characterized by a distinctive pattern achieved entirely through the intricate shibori (resist dyeing) technique. The design features repeating yabane motifs rendered in a rich russet against a golden-yellow ground. Even the seemingly simple background demonstrates the shibori technique, exhibiting a subtle textural pattern that adds depth and dimension to the surface.  The design's abstraction of natural forms into geometric patterns reflects the Japanese artistic principle of simplification and stylization, which has been present in Japanese textile arts since the Edo period. The diagonal placement of the motifs creates a dynamic sense of movement across the garment, while the consistent spacing maintains visual harmony - a principle known as "ma" in Japanese aesthetics. The color combination of warm gold and deep red is characteristic of traditional Japanese color sensibilities, particularly those seen in kosode (predecessor to the kimono) from the 17th and 18th centuries. What's particularly interesting about this piece is how it demonstrates the sophisticated understanding of repeating patterns and geometric abstraction that Japanese textile artists had developed long before similar aesthetic approaches emerged in Western decorative arts. The overall effect, achieved solely through the masterful manipulation of the shibori technique, creates a bold, graphic quality that feels remarkably modern despite its traditional techniques and likely historical origins. The haori shows how Japanese textile artists achieved a perfect balance between decorative impact and elegant restraint, a principle that would later become central to modernist design philosophy in the West.

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