This listing is for a vintage Japanese woman's kimono robe.

This kimono features an overall pattern of pine trees - or perhaps just pine branches? - in a rainbow of colors. Some are right side up, some are upside down, suggesting that the design was likely made by katagami stencil (which would be flipped and reversed during the dyeing process). The silk is smooth and had a great drape. Watch the video below to see how katagami stencils were made and used.

Most Japanese women rarely wore kimono after WWII but they were still given as dowry items or worn for the occasional special events. An exception to this would be practitioners of the traditional arts (e.g., tea ceremony, flower arranging, calligraphy, etc.) who would wear kimono for their studies and exhibitions.

We are able to offer vintage kimono - which were quite expensive when originally made - at a fraction of their original cost. We purchase our inventory from auctions, markets, and private sellers in Kyoto, and each is seemingly one-of-a-kind since kimono were made in small batches, where each might be still have a variation in color.

Kimono do not come with a sash but we offer both traditional obi belts (click here to see the current selection) as well as simple sashes sewn from contemporary fabrics, which you can add to your order by clicking the button above.