Vintage Japanese Kimono Fabrics by Pieces: Japanese Textile Silk Fabric Swatches

6592: 1930s-50s Deadstock Japanese Meisen Silk Fabric,Pottery, Yard

6592:1950s Meisen Silk, Pottery floral,yard

When purchasing this at the sale price we require that your total order be a minimum of US$15.00 of product.

Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1950's Meisen Silk Fabric Piece by yard

Width: 14.25 inches / 36.2 cm
Length: 1 yard / 91.44 cm

Catalog# 6592:

US$10.00 per yard

Fabric History/Pedigree: Pieces derived from deadstock roll of kimono silk; (Deadstock means old inventory which is like new but has been in storage, never been used);

Fabric Description: Lightweight meisen silk is estimated from 1930s-1950's piece; Meisen is defined literally as 'common silk stuff'; and has grown in popularity in the last few years; Meisen from that period are usually larger bold patterns and bright colors. See close-ups.

Fabric Motif: Unusual Japanese design (Western influences, less typically traditional Japanese)of large pottery vases with elongated curving vine-like flowers; 10 inch(25.4) tall bands alternate, all with tiny lateral pinstripes of rainbow colors; Bands are moss-green, dark salmon, other colors: various hues of reds and greens, also, grays, tans. As is typical in Meisen, note the impressionistic fuzzy edges; patterns same on both sides; this particular meisen has no sheen.

Colors: Reminder that colors and contrast differ on different devices, so please refer to our text color descriptions.

Condition: Excellent.

Cultural Notes: The best discussion we've found of Meisen silk fabric was on an old blog post by Japundit, excerpted here, from the early 2000's*:

"...Young women have rediscovered(Japan Times) the kimono, and you can see them out in Harajuku on the Sunday fashion parade. There's even a term for these girls -- not surprisingly they are called "kimono girls." There are even some nice books documenting the trend which you can check out at J-List and are definitely worth having if you are at all into fashion...."The meisen kimono, in particular, has become very popular. These kimono were made in the first half of the twentieth century, and were characterized by a glossy sheen, and brilliant patterns. There is often a sort of blurry quality to the silks...."

[*original article is no longer on the internet.] more info on meisen is here.