furisode (Kimono)

Furisode (振袖), a style of formal kimono with long swinging sleeves. There are three different types of furisode with different sleeve lengths; ō-furisode (with longest sleeves, around 115cm), chū-furisode (with long sleeves around 100cm) and ko-furisode (with shorter sleeves, around 80 cm). Worn by unmarried women on auspicious occasions such as weddings and New Year.

Purchased by donor from a Kyoto-based dealer in San Francisco.

Kanoko shibori (鹿の子絞り) is a tie-dye technique.

Furisode (振袖) with hanabishi (花菱, diamond shaped flowers) and paulownia designs. Made of patterned silk in red, on a gold and pink background. Large circles containing small kanoko shibori (鹿の子絞り) patterns, flowers and foliage are scattered across the surface, with gold leaves in various sizes and small silvery blue flowers stamped on top. Kimono is open at the front, with long draping sleeve panels open toward the body. Small openings for the wrists are at outside top of sleeves. Kimono is lined with a cream coloured fabric.