This soft wool kimono from the 1930s exemplifies the sophisticated design sensibilities of Japan's interwar period, when traditional motifs were often reimagined through modern artistic lenses. The composition features bold vertical stripes alternating between black and warm taupe, creating a strong graphic framework over which naturalistic grape vine imagery cascades.
The grape leaf (budō) motif appears throughout in rich autumnal tones—deep russet, warm orange, cream, and soft tan. Clusters of reddish grapes hang among the foliage, while delicate white tendrils spiral elegantly across the striped ground, adding movement and visual rhythm. Grape vines in Japanese art symbolize abundance, fertility, and continuity, as the interconnected vines suggest family bonds extending across generations. The motif also carries associations with autumn harvest and prosperity.
The choice of wool indicates this was intended as a practical everyday kimono for cooler months, offering warmth while maintaining elegance. The visible red lining at the hem (fuki) adds a subtle flash of color that would have been revealed during movement—a characteristic touch of refinement in Japanese dress.
However, there is a discreet 2x1cm hole on the back sleeve and some tiny holes at the hem. Its measurements are 46 inches (117 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 53 inches (135 cm) in height.