These fabric lengths showing a range of traditional Japanese patterns used for kimono are fine examples of traditional Japanese textile design produced in the late twentieth century. They will complement the museum's collection of Japanese costume and textiles and swatchbooks, which are predominantly historical. The lengths were purchased by Setsuko Hiraoka, Yasuko Myer's mother from her kimono maker Shima-san, for her daughter.

These samples are labelled as 'Edo komon'. Any fabric completely covered with the same stencil pattern is called 'komon'. This type of design was popular in the Edo period (1600-1868) and is also known as 'Edo komon'. Traditional 'komon' patterns are carved from paper stencils. The fabric is pasted on a long board, and a resist of rice paste is spread through the stencil onto the cloth. When the pattern has been applied to the whole cloth, the background is covered with resist containing the ground dye. It is said to have developed from the dyed designs of the samurai's formal costume of the Edo period. From one to three colours are usually used. The komon sample has been machine printed

These samples were intended as swatches to be mounted in a book for customers to select a fabric for their kimono.

The lengths were purchased by Setsuko Hiraoka (mother of the late Yasuko Myer the donor) for Yasuko, from her kimono maker.

Textile samples (2), 'Edo komon', silk, Japan, 1985 - 1992

Two rolled lengths of patterned silk fabric samples. The silk lengths are divided into sections with samples of different painted and printed designs.
One textile length is a printed length inscribed with the words 'no yama' meaning field and mountain. The pattern was referred to as Edo-komon, 'small pattern from the Edo period'. Colours include pink, blue, purple, red and coral.

The other textile is a hand painted length which is also referred to as an Edo pattern and has a Tokyo dyer's logo lower right, colours include green, burnt orange, brown, purple and maroon.

Made: Tokyo, Japan; 1985 - 1992

2003/57/1

1985 - 1992