This early 20th-century silk kimono features a dynamic interplay of the yabane (arrow feather) pattern rendered in striking kasuri ikat technique. The composition transforms the classical arrow motif into an almost Art Deco-inspired design vocabulary, with sharp angular forms creating a sense of movement and energy that anticipates the geometric abstractions that would define modernist design movements. The dramatic contrast between deep black and vibrant blue creates an optical intensity that makes the surface appear to vibrate, demonstrating how traditional Japanese pattern-making could evolve to embrace contemporary visual sensibilities while maintaining its essential character.

The kasuri technique, visible in the detail shot's subtle gradations and blurred edges where colors meet, adds a distinctly Japanese craftsmanship signature to what might otherwise appear as purely geometric abstraction. This ikat-dyeing process, where threads are resist-dyed before weaving, creates the characteristic soft transitions and slight irregularities that distinguish handcraft from mechanical production. The yabane pattern itself carries symbolic weight as a protective motif traditionally associated with driving away evil influences, making it particularly appropriate for formal wear, while its angular geometry resonates with the period's fascination with speed, progress, and technological advancement.

The bold scale and dramatic color relationships reflect the confidence of the Taisho period's cultural experimentation, when Japan was actively synthesizing Western influences with traditional arts.

There's about 5 inches of modest fraying on the "eri" (front collar/lapel). Its measurements are approximately 48 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 60 inches in height, or about 122 centimeters by 152 centimeters.

This artwork is featured on page 272 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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