6007: 1930s-50's Japanese Meisen Silk Fabric, 57" Pieces (AraiHari)

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Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1930-1950s
Meisen Silk Fabric Piece

Width: 14 inches / 35.56 cm
Length: 57 inches / 144.78 cm

Catalog# 6007:

List Price: US$15.00 per piece

USA Shipping included under 4 pounds package weight

Fabric History/Pedigree: Pieces received from traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert John Marshall,by click-pushing HERE.

Fabric Description: Lightweight soft and slightly translucent meisen silk; This is an older piece estimated as made in the 1930s to 1950's; 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 made similarly to kasuri (ikat) as to weaving and dyeing. See close-ups.

Fabric Motif: Sort of a large checkerboard motif in large rectangles which are all about 8" x 4' (20.32 cm X 10.16 cm) designs are all in usual meisen impressionistic fuzzy edges but fabric is softer than most meisen silks of this period; There are stylized traditional clouds across both color rectangles, and in the lighter blocks there are light pastel lateral swaths of light peach, light plum,pink and other similar tones, very subtle; same on both sides.

Colors: Background is deep purple and light cream rectangles (see close-ups).

Condition: Excellent.

Background Meisen Silk 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.