Vintage Japanese Kimono Fabrics by Pieces: Japanese Textile Silk Fabric Swatches

7338-2: 1960s Japanese Deadstock Vintage Kimono Silk Fabric,42in. Piece

73382: 1960s Japanese Kimono Silk 42inches

Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1960s Kimono Silk Fabric Piece
Arai-Hari
Modernistic

Width: 14.25 inches / 36.2 cm
Length: 42 inches / 147.32 cm

Catalog# 7338-2:

US$16.00 per piece
Plus Shipping

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1960s silk fabric pieces received from a traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert John Marshall,by click-pushing HERE.

Fabric Description: This is a thinner, lightweight printed silk derived from a woman's everyday kimono; the fabric is black background but completely filled with a checkerboard-style grid that uses notched blocks with flowers within; colors used: lines and borders are light-cream color, with black and mauve blocks alternating; some flowers have slight light-blue accents at centers of flowers, and others mauve; also, in the mauve blocks there is an intentional mock-batik (wrinkled) appearance (please see our last close-up above); These motifs are atypical -- especially the flowers, and to our eye could easily be seen as not Japanese at all; please see cultural note below; designs on one side only; slight drape.

CULTURAL BACKGROUND NOTE:

To our eye, this is a good example of the shift in kimono fabric designs beginning in the 1960s, but more so in late 1980s-1990s Japan; in that, while the specific designs are all traditional ( flowers), the overall look of the fabric is decidedly modern/Western in our opinion.

About Pictures: Please NOTE that colors and contrast differ on each device so please use our text descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric.

Recommended for making scarves/accessories.

Condition: Excellent.