Kimono for a woman
Gauze weave silk (ro) with stencil-printed patterning (kata-yuzen)
Japan, early Taisho period, 1912-20
The sense of movement in many of these kimono reflects the influence of Art Nouveau. Here the design of swallows flying over a meandering stream evokes the feeling of a cool breeze on a lazy summer's day. The pattern was created by applying chemical dyes mixed with rice paste through stencils on to the surface of the woven fabric.