This striking textile originates from Japan’s mid-Showa period (1950–1970) and is a scholarly example of the bold, graphic contrast favored in post-war formal silk design. Measuring 14.25 inches by 55 inches (36 cm x 140 cm), the piece is a complete panel from a disassembled kimono, preserved in excellent condition. The substrate is a premium rinzu (silk damask), dyed in a deep, midnight black that provides a lustrous and structurally rich foundation for the decorative resists. The fabric is noted for its exceptional softness, shiny texture, and a fantastic drape.

The visual narrative is dominated by a vertical, ascending composition of ume (plum) blossoms, rendered in a high-contrast palette of vivid red and crisp white. These motifs are executed entirely in the shibori (resist-dyeing) tradition, featuring the characteristic granular, pebbled texture of hand-tied resists. The white stems arc gracefully across the black field in a jagged, rhythmic fashion, while the bold red blossoms are scattered like glowing embers along the branches. As the plum blossom is a classical symbol of resilience and hope—being the first flower to bloom in the late winter snow—this piece represents a modern, graphic interpretation of a deeply traditional theme.

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