Summer Kimono (Hitoe)
About 1900–1916
Medium
Silk, plain weave self-patterned by rows of gauze crossings (yoko-ro); resist- dyed (shibori) and stenciled (kata yûzen-zome)
Dimensions
141.9 × 126.4 cm (55 7/8 × 49 3/4 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 74.4 cm (29 1/4 in.)
Classification
weaving - printed
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153709
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This hitoe (an unlined summer kimono) is patterned with leaves and water irises, a traditional Japanese motif. The use of bold colors, stylized natural forms, and curvilinear renderings alludes to the possible influence of Art Nouveau. The layered textures from both the gauze weave and the resulting undulation of the shibori technique contrasts with the flat stenciling technique applied to the surface, giving the appearance not of the actual flowers, but of their reflection in rippling water.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...