This striking textile originates from Japan’s early Showa period (1930–1940) and is a scholarly example of the bold, graphic sensibilities that defined the pre-war Art Deco movement in Japanese fashion. Measuring 14 inches by 65 inches (36 cm x 165 cm), this complete panel was originally part of a meisen kimono and remains in excellent condition. It is crafted from meisen silk, a material celebrated for its crisp handle and the distinctive "blurred" edges of its patterns, achieved through the innovative kasuri (ikat) pre-dyeing technique.
The visual narrative is defined by a rhythmic, vertical arrangement of oversized kiku (chrysanthemum) blossoms set against a geometric lattice background. The color palette is sophisticated and high-contrast, featuring creamy ivory and warm ochre florals on a deep, saturated plum-purple field. The rigid, ivory lattice lines provide an architectural framework that anchors the spindly, expressive petals of the chrysanthemums. This juxtaposition of organic botanical forms with sharp geometric grids reflects the era's fascination with Western modernism, reimagining the classical symbol of the Imperial house through a bold, urban lens.