This magnificent  kurofurisode combines multiple sophisticated techniques to create a garment of extraordinary visual impact and symbolic meaning. The dramatic black silk ground serves as a canvas for an auspicious composition of pine, cranes, and stylized waves - all traditional symbols of longevity, fidelity, and good fortune appropriate for wedding attire.

The design showcases oversized pine boughs rendered in striking teal and blue-green tones, their scale creating bold graphic impact across the garment. These pine motifs employ bokashi shading technique, where colors gradually transition from deep blue-green to lighter aqua, creating dimensional depth that makes the foliage appear to emerge from the dark ground. Interspersed with the pine are elegant white cranes, symbols of marital harmony and longevity, captured in graceful flight poses.

The wave patterns flow throughout the composition in rich burgundy and coral tones, their rhythmic curves creating movement that unifies the various elements. Gold foil outlines define and accentuate each major motif, adding luminous highlights that would catch light beautifully as the bride moved during the ceremony.

The embroidery work represents exceptional craftsmanship. Sagara embroidery - tiny raised knots - texture the crane heads, while metallic threads enhance the tail feathers with reflective brilliance. Delicate silk embroidery adds fine details to both crane and pine elements, strategically placed to create subtle light play and emphasize the garment's movement. This layering of techniques - yuzen painting, gold foil application, and multiple embroidery styles - creates remarkable textural and visual richness.

The kinsha fine crepe silk construction provides the perfect foundation, its subtle surface texture enhancing the interplay of light across the various decorative elements while maintaining the formal drape essential for this ceremonial garment.

The slightly padded hem allows the garment to gracefully drape and slightly touch the floor. Five family crests adorn it. Its measurements are approximately 50 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 70 inches in height, or about 127 centimeters by 178 centimeters.

This artwork is featured on page 227 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.  This textile is also illustrated on page 333-334 of our other book, Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries, which can be found here

This kurofurisode is also featured on page 93 of Spring 2022 edition of Arts of Asia.

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