More photos HERE - opens in a new window.
An antique, geisha’s hikizuri kimono. Geisha kimonos are rare finds and regardless of condition, are precious items. Some blemishes but this one is in very good condition for its age.
It has a design of decorative itomaki; itomaki are large, wooden spools for yarn for weaving and there is a very old tradition in Japan of dying silk yarn so that, when wound around the itomaki, it forms a beautiful pattern. It also has pretty gold detailing and touches of embroidery. The lower half of this kimono has extravagant artwork on it; extravagane because it is unseen by anyone other than the wearer and hand applied textile art is very expensive, so this is done on only extremely expensive, high quality kimonos.
This kimono also has has 5 mon (crests), the mon are ivy.
The geisha who owned it will have worn this with the hem trailing on the floor.
Silk inside and out.
Fully lined
Made and bought in Japan
**If shown with a sash, the sash is not included; for display purposes only, to let you see it closed, however, all kimono require an obi or some sort of sash to hold them closed; these are always bought separately. Think of it like a skirt and blouse, you can't wear either on its own, you buy them separately and mix and match
Kimono collars are worn folded in, in half, at the neck.
Kimono Fronts: Kimonos are worn with left front on top of right, by both men and women. The Japanese use the phrase phrase, ‘left over rice’, to remember this
 

Please be aware that different monitors display colour slightly differently. Therefore the colour in the photos and description is a guide only

Condition:
Very good – some relatively minor blemishes on the pattern. The upper lining is very lightweight, fine, soft silk that is often found in the top quality kimonos of that era; the red lining in this one has a repair half way down and is slightly perished at the back of the neck, it has weakened through age but the silk fabric of the rest of the kimono is fine, still very strong and in good condition – see photos below

Measurements:
Sleeve end to sleeve end 126cm
Sleeve seam to sleeve seam 64cm
Sleeve depth 55cm
Length 166cm

Japanese clothing is usually of adjustable fit, being mostly wrap-over or tie-to-fit items, so most garments fit a range of sizes. Because of this (and only really knowing my own size anyway) I can't really advise anyone on the fit. Please judge fit from the measurements given.Measure from centre back of neck, along shoulder and down the arm to the wrist, then double that and compare it with the sleeve end measurement to judge sleeve length. If shown modelled, the woman in the photos is 125 cm from wrist to wrist.