This is a truly stunning, unique, elegant, quality jacket in overall remarkably good vintage condition for its age.

There are a number of things that make this jacket especially lovely which don't show up well on the photos so I will just mention them. 

Firstly, the fabric on this jacket is a lustrous, fine, soft, figured, mon kinsha silk. Mon Kinsha is a soft, lustrous silk, used for high end garments and characterised by having a figured woven pattern. 

The base colour is a deep black. It has an  elegant and very traditional woven pattern. There is is an oval shape divided into sections which called 'shippou' which symbolizes '7 treasures'. Inside each oval is a lozenge-shaped flower called 'hanabishi'. 

This underlying woven pattern does not show well on the photos but it catches the light beautifully and adds interest to the look of the jacket.

Secondly, there is a very colourful and traditional design of Japanese parasols known as 'bangasa'.  Bangasa are the traditional Japanese rain umbrella made of bamboo and washi paper materials and first used in the Edo Period (1603-1863).

The design is coloured in many shades including warm white, ivory-beige, orangey-reds, deep bright green and purple.  They show typical geometric and floral patterns and also some traditional Japanese treasures including a wish-fulfilling mallet, coral, scholars scroll and cloves. 

Thirdly, the dramatic colour, longer body and sleeve length, colourful lining and deeply coloured, wide himo cords are all characteristic Taisho Roman fashion. This was popular in the 1920s and 1930s when Japanese clothing was being strongly influenced by the Western Romanticism movement of the early 19th century. At this time ready-to-wear kimono were produced in bright colours and large patterns, aimed at the fashionable 'modern' consumer. Kimono from this era are often described as 'Taisho Roman'. 

Lastly, it has a fabulous and brightly coloured lining in a yellowish-green with white and orangey-red star pattern and auspicious kanji in purple. There are fine woven gold lines.   A flash of this colourful lining will show at the inner sleeve slits when the jacket is worn which very attractive.

There are the original, vintage, tying cords (himo) which is a bonus as they are often missing. These ones are typical of the period in that they are wide and thick and a bold and  contrasting colour in deep fuchsia purple with blue and silver embroidery and tasseled ends. The embroidery pattern on the himo shows a traditional Japanese motif called 'yabane' which are arrow feathers/fletches.    I will send the buyer information on how to tie the himo correctly.

The garment is really stunning and gives a unique effect. 

It is a lovely item to touch and to wear and brings something of traditional Japanese culture into everyday use. This haori would make an excellent, unique and gorgeous evening jacket or a display item.

AGE & CONDITION : This haori dates from around the Late Taisho (1912-1926) around the 1920s. The colours, pattern, longer length, bold himo cords and coloured lining are all typical of the era.

The haori jacket is in remarkably good condition for its age because it has no conspicuous faults, damage or signs of wear which is rare to find in a garment of this era. However it is not perfect as you might expect. There are some minor water marks in the body lining. There are a number of tiny white dots here and there which are original printing errors and would not normally be considered faults per se. 

The main consideration is that it is a bit musty. This normally airs out but cannot be guaranteed to do so and this is reflected in the lowered price.   So it is in great overall vintage condition for it age (around 100 years old) but please do not expect it to be like a new garment.

SIZE : This haori is a very longer in length and in the sleeve drop than contemporary models which is typical for its era.   

It should fit a range of sizes up to a maximum of size UK12/small14 although it would also be fine on someone a bit smaller as it is supposed to be large and flowing. 

Cuff to cuff width is 127cm /50".

Overall length is 91.5cm/36".

The width across the back (side seam to side seam) is 60cm/23.5”. 

The sleeve drop is 25.5/65cm.  

It weighs about 580g.

HAORI are short kimono jackets worn over full length kimonos. They are not designed to close in front but can have two tying cords called Himo that are knotted across the chest ( included with this garment). The sleeves are worn shorter than other kimonos. Traditionally they were only worn by men but in the early 19th century, it became fashionable for women to wear them. They make excellent and unusual evening jackets or wall displays, the fabric is often used to make cushions or home décor items. This haori’s could also be used for display.

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.