Hitoe
Taishô period (1912–1926)/ Shôwa period (1926–1989), c. 1925
Japan
Japan
This indigo dyed hitoe (an unlined summer kimono) presents an overall pattern of overlapping and interconnected asa no ha, or hemp-leaf motifs. Taking on a hexagonal form, the hemp leaf is boldly enlarged. A traditional motif, the hemp leaf was an extremely popular pattern for informal kimonos during the Taisho and early Showa periods. The enlarged design on this hitoe is connected to the revival of the Genroku style (1688–1704), which was very popular at the beginning of the 20th century.
Silk and silver-leaf-over-lacquered-paper strip, warp resist dyed (kasuri) plain weave