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

7865:1930s-50s Japanese Kimono Silk Fabric Piece 52",Fans,Child Toys

Vintage Japanese Textiles:

1930's-50s Silk Fabric Piece
From Girl's Ceremonial Kimono
Fans, Hamaguri, Itomaki, Flowers, More...

Width: 13 inches / 33.02 cm
Length: 52 inches / 132.08 cm

Catalog# 7865:

US$16.00 per piece
Plus Shipping

Fabric History/Pedigree: Pieces received from 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: Delicate lightweight fine red silk originally from a girl's ceremonial kimono; This is a 1930s-1950s fabric piece which is a red background color interwoven throughout with the diagonal geographic maze-type design traditionally associated with Buddhist temples, this runs throughout the fabric and can be seen in sheen; Motif is of traditional Old Japan's children's toys as well as fans, decorative cords, and tassels; also itomaki (old spools, used by children at play); the other children's toys are called hamaguri* (explained below) and they are clam-shapes with ties on them; motif includes as well books, hand-drum, and sacks for playing toss-games;

*Cultural Background Information: In pre-industrial Japan, there was a children's game played using painted clam shells as cards for a game of matching pairs; hamaguri are clams historically found in Edo (Tokyo) Bay, and come in same shapes as shown here, 2 halves of clamshell are painted with the same designs, used like playing cards.

There are also blossoms of various kinds randomly placed; overall this combination of items and designs was used for children's kimonos; Colors within the designs and figures are very light, subdued pastel blues and yellows; except for red and white flowers; colors: Designs are on one side, but as the fabric is thin, some of the designs can be seen on the reverse; soft and sheer.

Note on colors: As all devices have different colorations and contrasts, please use our text descriptions of colors to complement your sense of the fabric's color.

Recommended for making scarf/accessories.

Condition: Excellent for age.