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This silk kurotomesode depicts a tranquil wetland landscape that flows gracefully across the lower portion of the kimono. A meandering stream, rendered in beautiful shades of blue, winds through the scene like a gentle ribbon, creating visual movement and drawing the eye across the garment. The water appears to flow naturally, with subtle variations in tone that suggest depth and current.
The stream is bordered by lush marsh vegetation, featuring delicate grasses and reeds that rise vertically in graceful clusters. These botanical elements are rendered with remarkable precision, showing individual blades and stems that create a sense of natural abundance. Scattered throughout the wetland scene are small flowering plants or water lilies, adding delicate white accents that provide visual contrast against the dark background.
The yuzen technique is masterfully employed here, allowing for the precise application of colors and the creation of subtle gradations. The extensive use of bokashi (color shading) is particularly evident in how the blue tones of the water transition smoothly from deeper to lighter hues, creating a sense of dimension and movement. This gradual color transition also appears in the vegetation, where greens and whites blend seamlessly to suggest natural lighting and shadow.
The placement of this design exclusively on the lower portion of the kimono follows the traditional aesthetic principle of kurotomesode, where decoration is concentrated below the waist, creating an elegant visual weight and allowing the wearer's upper body to remain unadorned and dignified. The serene nature scene embodies the Japanese aesthetic appreciation for subtle beauty and the ephemeral qualities of the natural world.
Its measurements are approximately 49 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 60 inches in height, or about 124 centimeters by 152 centimeters.