Vintage Japanese Kimono Fabrics by Pieces: Japanese Textile Fabric Swatches

8168:1930-50s Japanese Meisen Silk 2Yds.Pc Deadstock, Wisteria Vines w/Blossoms

8168: 1930s Meisen Silk, Wisteria Pattern Repeats this view total 2 yards 1.83 m

1930s-1950s Japanese Textiles:

Deadstock Japanese Kimono Meisen Silk Fabric Piece
Floral Motif, Cascading Wisteria w/Blossoms

Catalog #: 8168

Width: 14.25 inches / 36.2 cm
Length: 2 Yards (72 inches)/ 1.828 m

US$20.00 per piece plus shipping

Item Details and Description

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1950s or earlier silk fabric pieces from a deadstock roll, found with other similar old fabrics, factory lot.

Fabric Description: Cobalt Blue background Meisen silk, delicate, sheer, lightweight, translucent, with cascading Wisteria vines with blossoms accented in metallic burnished gold; also single horizontal metallic gold thread, partial width; meisen of this period; this design has the intentionally fuzzy edges on all figures, same on both sides; minimal sheen; slight stiff.
Colors: Please NOTE that colors and contrast differ on each device, so please use our text descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric.
Condition: Excellent.
Recommended for making scarf/accessories.

Background Information on Meisen Kimonos:

Meisen is defined literally in our Kenkyuusha dictionary as "...common silk stuff"; meisen fabrics (or garments made from them) are currently called 'meisen'; Meisen kimono were made similarly to Kasuri (ikat), though meisen usually have very colorful patterns with distinct -- often more modern -- motifs and a slight sheen; 1950s meisen have intentionally fuzzy, almost Impressionistic look and often larger designs; Kasuri/ikat, of course, is mostly indigo blue and some white with black. To learn more about kasuri click here.

To see pictures of meisen silk vintage kimonos from Google, touch HERE.

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

"...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 has been pulled]

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