This is a lovely piece and my personal favourite type of kimono.
If you have always wanted a dramatic, authentic, truly vintage, ceremonial, Japanese, kimono in great condition - here is your chance!
This is a lovely piece of artwork and the photos sadly, do not do it justice.
This gorgeous kimono is made of semi-lustrous, top quality, black, chirimen silk. The feel is weighty, smooth, fairly soft with a very slight crisp finish which is typical. Chirimen silk is a high end silk used for special occasion items and it is characterised by having a very subtle crinkle like crepe, made by twisting threads during production.
The design is biased towards the left skirt but still stretches across towards the right side, this coupled with the great condition, the style and the fact that it is fully hand stitched suggests the tomesode is from circa 2000s.
I think the design is hand painted by an artist. This is confirmed by having a makers/artists name as a small red 'signature seal' on the left skirt. This is usually only shown on the higher end garments like a 'designer logo'.
So we can see there is a whole scene depicted across the skirt. On the front skirt there is the verandah of a mansion house (an ancient house owned by wealthy or high society people). Just in front of the house are two ancient carriages called goshoguruma. This is a high status motif, as these vehicles were only used by the nobility in ancient times and thus symbolize prosperity.
Surrounding the house there are a number of trees, plants and flowres. So there are maple, leafy branches, plum blossom, chrysanthemums and bamboo leaves. Near the hem on the front skirt are some rocks.
As we go round to the back skirt there are some tachibana plants (a type of citrus), some bamboo fence panels/screens, some deep red swirling lines symbolizing a stream. There is a rock with tree peony growing on it. There is another building and this may be a tea house in the garden of the mansion. All these motif speak to a high life, prospertity and high culture.
The colours are deep and yet subdued. They include pale purplish-pink in the background, with deep purplish pinks, blue-greens, deep wine reds, white, grey and black. Although not obvious, there is a lot of fine gold outlining which enriches the design.
There are the typical 5 mon (small white family crests from the Samurai tradition) and on this garment. This one is quite unusual and is called '3 stars over ichi (number one), encircled'.
The lining of the kimono is a fine, glossy, white, silk (or possibly artificial silk) in the main body and sleeves.
Please note: This item does not come with a belt. Kimono are normally worn with a special obi belt which would be bought separately. You could of course use any sash or ribbon to tie it.
This is a wonderful tomesode and could be worn, displayed or the material used for decor or re-tailoring.
AGE & CONDITION: I believe the item is from around the 2000s. so Mid Heisei Period (1989-2019).
Near Mint Vintage condition. Almost perfect with no conspicuous faults to note. On very close inspection, I found one dot on the lining which is mentioned for the sake of accuracy. This is a vintage item with a little age in overall near mint condition but please do not expect it to be exactly like new.
SIZE:This is a fairly average size for this kind of formal kimono and so it is typically very long, although not as long as some can be. (please see explanation for this below).
It should fit a range of body sizes as it is a wrap round style, up to a maximum of UK14.
Cuff to Cuff width is 126cm/49.5”, overall length is 150cm/59” and the width across the back (side seam to side seam) is 61cm/24”. The quality of this kimono is reflected in the heavy weight of 1050g. The weight and value is reflected in the postal cost.
Please ask if you want more information or photos.
TOMESODE are the most formal kimono worn by married women, they would only be used on such occasions as attending the wedding of a close relative or an official occasion. The kimono being offered here is the most formal type of all, as it is black background with 5 families crests and a design only on the bottom of the kimono. Tomesode make excellent wall displays bringing an authentic part of traditional Japanese culture into your home and they can also be successfully worn as evening wear.
WHY CAN SOME WOMEN'S KIMONO BE SO LONG? they are traditionally shortened by hitching up at the waist and hiding the excess fabric behind the wide obi belt that would traditionally be worn with it.
CLEANING: Vintage silk items should not be washed. They can usually be dry cleaned. Old stains are not usually removable and some finishes like gold paint may be diminished by dry cleaning.
If you need any more information or pictures just send me a message.
All information is to the best of my knowledge. Please bear in mind, that colours do not always show absolutely accurately on photos and on monitors although they should be close to reality.
My items are mostly vintage and are not returnable unless grossly mis-described, so please check the details and measurements before bidding/buying. Please be aware that vintage clothing does not usually 'look like new' even when it is in excellent condition. Some slight general signs of ageing and use should be expected. If these are conspicuous, they will be mentioned in the description.
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