"Indigo Bands" Woman's Kimono

This is a vintage Japanese casual woman's kimono.

Gorgeous shades of blue - from light gray to deep indigo - in vertical bands across the kimono.

The weave is actually tiny, tiny geometric shapes in shades of blue.

A blemish on the front collar that could be hidden when the collar is folded over for wearing.

Ikat (also called kasuri) is a centuries-old method of weaving where the threads are dyed before being woven, so that the design appears on the loom. Ikat is a very labor-intensive textile art form, still very much revered in Japan and elsewhere. See the amazing process in the video below.