KIMONO: Fashioning Identities

― Kimono: Fashioning Identities ―

*Gallery talk video tentatively scheduled to remain online until March 31, 2023.
This special extended viewing has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the exhibition lenders.

This gallery talk was conducted during Part I of the Tokyo National Museum’s special exhibition Kimono: Fashioning Identities. Exhibition curator and chair of the TNM’s Department of Decorative Arts Dr. Oyama Yuzuruha leads the tour, joined by the exhibition’s PR ambassador, celebrity and kimono aficionado IKKO. This tour gives an overview of the exhibition as well as an in-depth look at selected works on view for those unable to see the show in person or those who wish to revisit the first installation of this groundbreaking exhibition.

Highlights of the Exhibition

 Part I       The Birth of Fashion

Nuihaku (Kimono) with Quadrants of Seasonal Flowers and Plants Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century Kyoto National Museum Important Cultural Property (On exhibit from June 30 to July 26, 2020)

Nuihaku (Kimono) with Horizontal Bands, Lozenges, Roundels, Flowers, and Plants Azuchi-Momoyama-Edo period, 16th-17th century Hirano Museum, Shizuoka Important Cultural Property (On exhibit from June 30 to July 26, 2020)

(detail) Maple Viewers By Kanō Hideyori　 Muromachi–Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century　 Tokyo National Museum National Treasure (On exhibit from July 28 to August 23, 2020)

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 Part II      From Kyoto Style to Edo Style

Kosode (Kimono) with Waves and Mandarin Ducks Edo period, 17th century Tokyo National Museum Important Cultural Property

Kosode (Kimono) with Chrysanthemums and Waterfalls Edo period, 17th century National Museum of Japanese History, Chiba (On exhibit from July 28 to August 23, 2020)

Furisode (Long-Sleeved Kimono) with Autumn Maple Leaves, Bamboo Fence, and “Young Murasaki” Calligraphy from The Tale of Genji Edo period, 17th–18th century Tokyo National Museum

(detail)

Woman Looking over Her Shoulder By Hishikawa Moronobu Edo period, 17th century Tokyo National Museum

Furisode (Long-Sleeved Kimono) with Bundled Noshi Streamers Edo period, 18th century Yūzenshi Kai, Kyoto Important Cultural Property (On exhibit from June 30 to July 26, 2020)

Kosode (Kimono) with Autumn Flowers and Plants By Ogata Kōrin Edo period, 18th century Tokyo National Museum Important Cultural Property

（部分）

Summer Outfits: Beauties of Today (Natsu ishō tōsei bijin), Suited to the Fine Ramie Fabrics Stocked by Shirokiya (Shirokiya shiire no jōfu muki) By Kitagawa Utamaro I Edo period, 19th century Tokyo National Museum (On exhibit from July 28 to August 23, 2020)

(detail)

 Part III     Men’s Fashion Aesthetics

Jinbaori (Surcoat) with Swallowtail Butterfly Made for Oda Nobunaga Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century Tokyo National Museum

Jinbaori (Surcoat) with Lions Made for Toyotomi Hideyoshi Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century Tokyo National Museum

Dōbuku Coat with Snowflakes and Ginkgo Leaves Made for Tokugawa Ieyasu Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th–17th century Tokyo National Museum Important Cultural Property

Furisode (Long-Sleeved Kimono) with Falcons on Freestanding Screens with Plum Trees Edo period, 18th century Tokyo National Museum Important Cultural Property

Hikeshi Banten (Fireman’s Jacket) with Male Figure Edo period, 19th century Tokyo National Museum

 Part IV    Modern Kimono: Meiji, Taishō, and Early Shōwa Periods (1868–1940s)

Furisode (Long-Sleeved Kimono) with Western-style Palace Designs Shōwa period, 20th century National Museum of Japanese History, Chiba

Meisen Kimono with Chrysantemum Design Taishō–Shōwa period, 20th century Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore (Photo: Tsutsumi Katsuo)

 Part V     Kimono Today

Taro Kimono Design by Okamoto Tarō Ca. 1974 (Shōwa 49) Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, Tokyo (Photo: Tsutsumi Katsuo)

Yūzen Kimono, Fruiting By Moriguchi Kunihiko Dated 2013 (Heisei 25) Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd., Tokyo (On exhibit from June 30 to July 26, 2020)