Vintage Japanese Kimono - 1
        From the collection of Marla Mallett

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The elegant Japanese kimono on these pages are one-of-a-kind works of textile art that can either be displayed or worn. A range of decorative approaches is shown in these kimonos: intricate embroidery in satin stitch or metallic couching, delicate shaded resist painting, applied gold foil, elaborate brocading, and intricate ikat or tie dye. For an explanation of these techniques, go to Japanese Kimono Design Techniques. Styles range from austere geometrics or subtle floral motifs to bold, dramatic statements--from subtle elegance to festive exuberance.  To sum up, in our collections we have focused on hand-decorated textile expressions, rather than the ordinary machine-printed garments that dominate the market.

These kimono, uchikake, shiromuku, tomesode, furisode, hikizuri, haori, and obi date from the early 1800s through the 1970s. All are in good condition, with no tears or damaged areas. Unlike new garments, however, lovely vintage kimonos may have small faint areas of minor discoloration -- a patina of age and use that is acceptable to most people who prefer beautiful early pieces. The overall condition is always reflected in the pricing. Although most of my kimono are pristine, if you demand perfect condition, you may be better advised to buy new or recent pieces and forgo antique and vintage kimono.  I have chosen the kimono on these pages carefully, but no sale is final until you have inspected the pieces sent to you and decide that they please you also.  

A NOTE ON SIZES:  If you are interested in wearing vintage kimono, garments measuring 48" across the shoulders/arms fit sizes 4-6-8, and those measuring at least 50" across fit sizes 8-10-12-14.  All are long, by western standards, as Japanese women pulled them up to the exact length required and held them in place with obi.  Westerners often wear them open or with sashes or chain belts, and bloused.  Haori--short jackets--were worn open. Uchikake-- wedding kimono--with their heavy padded hems, were also worn open, and trailing. 

 Click on the inventory numbers below to see full views of the garments below and large close-up photos.  Then check out our selections of Japanese Haori  and Japanese Obi.  You may wish to go directly to our Collector's Page. Assorted questions are answered in Kimono Questions.  For other textile art go to our HOME page.


Japanese Urushi Kimono
Silk crepe with metallic and lacquered
thread brocading.
K-9188


Japanese Uchikake
 Early 1950s.
Rinzu silk with silver brocading
and silver embroidery
K-8640


Japanese Kimono
1950s.
Silk kimono with textured/brocade
Patterning.
K-8807


Japanese Irosode
Late 1950s.
Chirimen silk crepe formal kimono
with yuzen dyeing and embroidery.
K-8804


Japanese Kimono
1940s.
Woman's silk kimono with warp stripes
K-5198


Japanese Uchikake
1950s.
Silk faille wedding kimono with gold,
silver, and silk embroidery.
K-9257


Japanese Shibori Kimono
Late 1930s.
Silk crepe with tie-die floral decoration.
K-7220


Japanese Kimono
Taisho, 1920s.
Silk crepe with brocading in silk
and silver metallic.
K-8759


Japanese Kimono
1950s.
Silk checks, with small kasuri
blocks.
K-4553A


Japanese Kimono
1950s.
Silk crepe with sumi-e drawing,
surihaku, and gold embroidery.
K-8845

Sheer Japanese Irosode
Mid 1950s
Silk crepe formal hand-painted
kimono
K-7797


Japanese Bengata Kimono
Late 1940s.
Okinawa
Silk, with stenciled design.
K-8764


Japanese Irosode
Late 1920s or early 1930s.
Rinzu silk with yuzen dyeing.
K-8811


Japanese Tomesode
Early to mid-1980s.
Chirimen silk crepe formal kimono
sumi-e painting and yuzen dyeing.
K-7572


Japanese Kimono
Late 1940s or early 1950s.
Chirimen silk crepe with
mottled design
K-4330


Japanese Kuro Tomesode
1950s.
Chirimen silk crepe formal kimono
with yuzen dyeing, gold couching and
gold surihaku.
K-7783


Japanese Kasuri Kimono
1950s or 1960s.
Woman's sheer silk kimono with
weft ikat decoration
K-7765


Japanese Furisode
Taisho, circa 1920.
Young woman's rinzu silk kimono with 
floral motif; gold surihaku, embroidered, 
and stenciled details.
K-5998


Japanese Kimono
Mid 1950s.
Sheer silk with stenciled warp motif.
K-4546


Japanese Tomesode
Circa 1925
Sheer ro silk with yuzen dyeing.
K-7510


Japanese Kimono
Late 1940s.
Chirimen silk crepe with yuzen dyeing 
and gold surihaku.
K-3868

 

Japanese Tomesode
Late 1940s or early 1950s.
Chirimen silk crepe with painted
and embroidered motifs.
K-8846

Continue:
MARLA MALLETT
1690 Johnson Road NE
Atlanta GA  30306   USA

Phone:  404-872-3356
         or Toll Free:  1-877-542-0841
E-mail:  marlam@mindspring.com  


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