5635:1950's Japanese Deadstock Meisen Silk Fabric, by yard

5635: 1950s Japanese meisen silk by yard

Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1950s Deadstock Meisen Silk Fabric by Yard

Width: 14.5 inches / 36.83 cm
Length: 1 yard / 91.4 cm

Catalog# 5635:

US$12.00 per yard

USA Shipping included under 4 pounds package weight

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1950s Deadstock meisen silk.

Fabric Description: Deadstock (new, never used but from another era) light-medium weight meisen silk This is an early 1950s piece; Meisen is defined literally as 'common silk stuff'; and has grown in popularity in the last few years; it is a kasuri (ikat) type weave fabric with usually larger bold patterns and bright colors. See close-ups.

Fabric Type: Light Weight Meisen silk; due to weave has slightly textured feel, little sheen; same on both sides; Designs are typical meisen, kasuri-look plus-sign shaped clusters evenly spaced lengthwise;

Colors: Fabric background is black with aqua-blues(hint of pastel-green) and gray-silver shapes alternating with dark plum-red at center of cross shapes.

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.