This 1950s meisen silk haori features an energetic abstract composition of curved and angular forms filled with contrasting checkerboard patterns in red, blue, black, and white against a neutral beige ground. The design demonstrates the influence of Western modernist movements, particularly Art Deco and early Abstract Expressionism, which were being absorbed and reinterpreted through Japanese aesthetic sensibilities during this era.

The meisen weaving technique, known for its ability to produce complex, painterly effects through a sophisticated resist-dyeing process, was perfectly suited to achieve this dynamic visual complexity. The interlocking curved shapes and angular segments create a sense of movement and rhythm that recalls both the geometric abstractions of European avant-garde art and the traditional Japanese appreciation for pattern and surface decoration. The checkerboard motifs within the larger forms add visual texture while maintaining the overall cohesive design structure.

This piece represents a fascinating cultural moment when Japanese textile artists were experimenting with international design vocabularies while maintaining their technical mastery of traditional weaving methods. The result is a garment that feels simultaneously cosmopolitan and distinctly Japanese, embodying the post-war spirit of cultural exchange and artistic innovation. The bold, almost op-art quality of the pattern suggests an embrace of modernity and optimism, marking a departure from more naturalistic traditional motifs toward pure geometric abstraction.

It measures approximately 50 inches (127 cm) by 33 inches (84 cm).

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