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Object Timeline

1901	Work on this object began.
1948	We acquired this object. Work on this object ended.
2011	We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2019	We exhibited this object.
2025	You found it!

Kimono Length (tan) (Japan)

This is a Kimono length (tan). It is dated early 20th century and we acquired it in 1948. Its medium is cotton and its technique is plain weave, indigo-dyed, resist applied with stencil (katazome). It is a part of the Textiles department.

This cotton fabric bears a repeated wave motif rendered in rich indigo blue on a white ground. Indigo dye is especially well suited for use with absorbent cotton, explaining a traditional color palette of whites and blues for the light summer kimono called yukata. This length of fabric, intended for constructing a yukata, still bears its original tag. A series of stamped crests identify the artists, the grade of cloth, and price. It was sold by Mitsukoshi, a department store that began as a 17th-century kimono shop, and still exists today.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Jacques Seligmann.