This extraordinary textile originates from Japan’s mid-Showa period (about 1950–1960) and represents a scholarly pinnacle of technical weaving intended for high-status accessories. This piece is a medashi, a specialized standalone sample created by master weavers to demonstrate complex patterns and colorways to elite clients. Measuring 13 inches by 29 inches, the silk is preserved in excellent condition and retains its original selvedges on all four sides, indicating it was woven specifically as a complete design prototype rather than being cut from a larger roll.

The visual narrative is a densely detailed historical tableau rendered through the brocade technique. It depicts the iconic Gion Matsuri festival, featuring towering yamaboko (festival floats) and ornate barks navigating a landscape of golden clouds and stylized pine forests. The composition includes multiple tiers of floats adorned with intricate tapestries, accompanied by a procession of figures in traditional attire. The level of workmanship is exceptionally high, utilizing a sophisticated palette of jewel-toned threads and metallic accents to create a three-dimensional, narrative effect. An finished obi replicating this level of detail would have been a significant investment, reserved for the most formal occasions.

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