Kimonos are traditional Japanese garments for both formal and informal wear. Nowadays, however, they are mostly worn on special occasions. Kimonos are typically worn with a sash called an obi. They are traditionally made from a tanmono—a single bolt of fabric which changes in length based on who it is made for. A variety of fibers are used, such as hemp, silk, linen, and cotton.
Aizome, traditional Japanese indigo dyeing, is deeply embedded within Japanese culture, as indigo textiles were worn by all classes in society. There are many different dyeing techniques that artisans employ and master such as:
• Shiborizome (tie-dyeing) — see the Shibori Sample Book.
• Basses (stenciled bleaching)
• Roketsuzome (wax resist)
• Yūzen (rice paste resist) — The artist brushes areas with dye or dips the entire garment into the vat.
• Tsutsugaki (rice paste drawn freehand)
• Katazome (rice paste stenciled) was created by Keisuke Serizawa (1895–1984), a leading member of the Japanese mingei movement. He was designated a Living National Treasure in 1956 for his contributions.
top, left to right
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Koshi Kimono
(Lattice Pattern)
Unidentified Maker
20th Century
Japan
Tsumugi (silk), indigo
Museum purchase made possible by a gift from Jeaninne and Richard Helmstetter, 1999-20-001 -
Kimono
Unidentified Maker
Unknown date
Japan
Cotton, indigo
Museum purchase made possible by a gift from Jeaninne and Richard Helmstetter, 1999-20-018 -
Yukata
(Summer Kimono)
Unidentified Maker
Unknown date
Japan
Cotton, indigo
Gift of Sumi Adachi, 2008-62-001
middle, left to right
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Yukata
(Summer Kimono)
Unidentified Maker
20th Century
Japan
Cloth, indigo
Museum purchase made possible by a gift from Jeaninne and Richard Helmstetter, 1999-20-011 -
Kimono and Pants
Unidentified Maker
About 1910–1930
Japan
Cotton, indigo
Gift of Barb Rich, 2020-009-009A-B -
Ko Gasuri Kimono
(Small Pattern Tie-Dyed)
Unidentified Maker
20th Century
Japan
Cotton, indigo
Museum purchase made possible by a gift from Jeaninne and Richard Helmstetter, 1999-20-007
bottom, left to right
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Child’s Formal Kimono
Unidentified Maker
About 1868–1912
Japan
Silk, gauze (rō), gold foil-wrapped red silk filé,
reeled silk embroidery flosses, indigo
Gift of Barb Rich, 2014-11-041 -
Boy’s Kimono
Unidentified Maker
About 1840
Japan
Silk, indigo
Gift of Barb Rich, 2020-009-024
platform, left to right
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Yukata
(Summer Kimono)
Keisuke Serizawa
20th Century
Japan
Cotton, indigo
Gift of Martha W. Roth, 1998-60-001 -
Yukata
(Summer Kimono)
Keisuke Serizawa
Mid 20th Century
Japan
Bashôfu (banana fiber), indigo
Museum purchase, 1998-36-001
Gallery View, Kimono Installation, Mingei International Museum. Photograph by Ron Kerner, 2024.