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Japanese Two-Piece Indigo Asa Kyogen Festival Costume Meiji Period

Offered by: Tishu

Description
A two-piece Japanese festival costume based on Kyogen theater performance circa late 19th century (Meiji Period). The matching assemble consists of an oversize jacket (Suo) and a pair of trousers (hakama). Made from a fine and gauze-like indigo dyed natural fiber (Asa), likely linen, the costume is plain except the lozenge-shaped Hanabishi Mons placed on the front and back of the jacket as well as on the side of the pants. The motif was created used stencil resist dye (katazome). The loose hakama was traditionally tailored with a waist band reinforced with paper insert and long ties.
The interior back of the neck is reenforced on one side with a silk patch as shown, not visible from exterior. Wear consistent with age and use.
For a set of kyogen festival costume in near identical form and similar decoration but made from hemp instead of linen, see item 2019.20.69.1 in the collection of MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art).

More Information

Origin:	Japan
Period:	1900-1919
Materials:	linen
Condition:	Fair. Overall modest wear with fading and discoloration, frays and small loss on the edge of waist band of the pants. Many small holes (15 or so) scattered across the garment and the examples are visible on the detail picture.
Creation Date:	early 20th century
Styles / Movements:	Bespoke, Asian, Traditional
Patterns:	Asian/Oriental
Incollect Reference #:	642089

Dimensions

W.	83 in;	H.	52 in;	D.	1 in;
W.	210.82 cm;	H.	132.08 cm;	D.	2.54 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion