KIMONO AS MEDIA
An on-going research by Machiko Kusahara
The beauty of Japanese kimono textile is widely known.
Museums possess and exhibit gorgeous kimono for high class ladies in Edo period or Noh actors.
Simple but refined patterns on summer kimono (yukata) as well as for fire fighters' robes or fishermen's jackets are considered as a part of Japanese graphic design tradition. Patchworked kimonos used by normal people also show amazing aesthetics of old Japan.
How about less "beautiful" kimono textiles for normal people including those for children, that were commonly used from the end of 19th century to 1940s?
Introduction of muslin and inexpensive pattern dyeing technology from the West made possible for normal Japansese people to enjoy rich textile design for kimono.
While the traditional kimono patterns and aesthetics were used for muslin textiles, the idea beneath the traditional design found its own way of developing further: Kimono as Media.
Such process took place exactly the time when Japan was modernizing itself, to become a part of the world, as a major country with strong military motivations. Kimono textiles show how they were proud of the Modernization.
Eventually, kimono also served as media for militaristic propaganda.
Kimono textiles you see here are mostly from this period, printed on muslin, but there are some silk pieces as well.
Kimono as Narrative
Media on Kimono
Modernization
Kimono for Propaganda
