Short Kimono Jacket (Haori)

Red and black Ikat

A kimono is the traditional national dress of Japan. The word literally translates to "a thing to wear" (ki meaning to wear, and mono meaning thing). It is a T-shaped, straight-seamed robe that wraps left over right and is secured with a wide, decorative sash called an obi. A haori is the short jacket worn over a kimono. It is worn open or loosely tied with decorative cords called haori himo.

Japanese ikat, kasuri (絣), is a resist-dyeing technique where threads are carefully wrapped and dyed before weaving to create intricate, subtly blurred patterns. This piece was purchased in Kyoto, at the famous Kobo-ichi flea market held monthly at To-ji Temple.

• Title: Short Kimono Jacket, haori

• Date: 1982

• Geography: Kyoto, Japan

• Medium: Cotton

• Dimensions: H. 28 in.  W. 23 in.

• Provenance: Kyoto

• Inventory Number:  JP.06