7053: 1930s-50s Japanese Silk Kimono Fabric, 57in.(Arai Hari) Hamaguri

Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1930s to 1940s Arai Hari Used
Silk Fabric Piece
(Hamaguri Painted Clam Shells Motif)

Width: 13 inches / 33.02 cm
Length: 57 inches / 144.78 cm

Catalog# 7053:

US$18.00 per piece

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1930s-40s silk fabric 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 Type: Lightweight fine ivory and red-orange silk, slightly translucent; minimal sheen, has a textured feel, not quite chirimen; Diagonal checker-board background with hamaguri painted clam shells randomly placed (See cultural info below*); print on one side but visible on the reverse; Clam shells are decorated with various flowers and maple leaves designs; Colors used for decorated clams: red, beige, green mustard, white, pink and yellow; the fabric is fairly stiff with less drape than others of this period.

*Cultural Background Information: In pre-industrial Japan, there was a childrens' game played using painted clam shells as cards for a game of matching pairs; hamaguri are clams historically found in Edo (Tokyo) Bay, and come in same shapes as shown here, 2 halves of clamshell are painted with the same designs, used like playing cards.

Recommended for making scarves or accessories.

Colors: Please use our text color descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric due to differences in contrast and color on different devices.

Condition: Excellent.