A Meisen Silk Haori: Variant of Arrow Feather Pattern

early twentieth century This is a haori or kimono jacket made of Meisen silk, a kind of "everyday" silk that was developed in the Meiji era (1868 - 1912) at a time when Japan's strict sumptuary laws were lifted: these laws dictated what people were allowed to wear and consume (among many other things), notable among the strictures was a ban against common people wearing silk. Meisen represents the democratization of silk in a changing Japan and it was consumed readily. Its boom market prompted huge manufacture, which, of course, meant that countless new designs needed to be developed. Meisen is a kind of machine aided kasuri cloth, the quality of silk being pedestrian as these were kimono that were not expensive and were meant to be worn on a regular basis as "town wear." This is a good example of an early Meisen kimono which is characterized by a soft, supple silk and showing a large-scale traditional pattern, in this case it is a variant on the arrow feather motif. The haori is half lined in back with a patterned cloth, very attractive, and it is in good, used condition with seemingly no stains or flaws. A nicely designed Meisen garment, very attractive and still wearable.