This textile represents a striking example of modernist geometric design in Japanese kimono from the interwar period. The garment displays a bold vertical stripe pattern in turquoise, coral-orange, and black against a dark ground, with distinctive horizontal silver thread supplementary inserts that break up the linear flow.

The aesthetic strongly evokes the Art Deco movement and Bauhaus design principles that were influential during this era. The geometric abstraction, bold color contrasts, and rational grid-like structure reflect the international modernist sensibilities that were being absorbed into Japanese textile design during the 1920s and 1930s. This represents a dramatic departure from traditional Japanese motifs toward a more cosmopolitan, machine-age aesthetic.

The chirimen silk fabric - visible in the detail image - shows the characteristic crepe texture created by alternating twist directions in the weft threads. This creates a dry, slightly gritty texture, while the sheer quality allows for subtle light interaction across the surface. The horizontal silver supplementary threads appear to be discontinuous supplementary weft inserts that punctuate the vertical stripe rhythm, creating a sophisticated interplay between the warp-dominant vertical pattern and these metallic accent lines.

This kimono exemplifies the Taishō/early Shōwa period modernization of Japanese dress, when designers embraced international avant-garde movements while maintaining traditional construction methods. The result is a garment that could easily be mistaken for European Art Deco textile design, yet remains fundamentally Japanese in its execution and cultural context. The optical effects created by the intersecting vertical and horizontal elements demonstrate the period's fascination with industrial aesthetics and geometric abstraction.

Its dimensions are 50 inches (127 cm) across the sleeves and 62 inches (157.5 cm) in height.

This artwork is featured on page 331 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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