Description
A young boy of noble standing wore this marvelous handwoven and hand painted Silk Boy’s Kimono for Boys’ Day in Japan. It has been hand painted using the “Rice Paste Resist” method, including pure gold paint, and was then elaborately “Couched” in handmade pure yellow gold threads. This stunning design of a Hawk flying over Japanese Pine and a Carriage of the nobility is both dramatic and colorful. The Hawk, or Falcon, is often considered the king of birds in Japan. Warriors especially liked the bird because of its fierce and competitive nature as well as the visually striking patterns of its plumage. Banners with Hawks have been used since the Heian Era when the bureaucracy included an Office Of Falconry. The stylized branches of the Pine or “Matsu” represent longevity, while the ox drawn carriage or Gosho Guruma” symbolizes upper-class life as it was envisioned in the Heian Era. Thus, the symbolism of this Kimono represents what the young boy’s parent’s envisioned for his future: power, high status and long life.
The Family Crest, “Mon,” appears 5 times on the shoulders and back of the garment and indicates that it was to be worn for formal occasions. The Crest is that of the bold stripe or “Hikiryo” and was originally used as a symbol of identification on the battlefield. This colorful and magnificently decorated young Boy’s Formal Silk Kimono obviously belonged to a young man of high social standing, and would have been a valued family heirloom.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.