Description
Ever since Japan opened its doors to the West during the Meiji Era, Westerners have been enchanted by the exquisite Woodblock art forms that the Japanese had been producing for over 200 years. While this Woodblock is not as elaborate or as colorful as those of the famous Ukiyo-e world, it has a marvelous story to tell: this is a Traveling Kimono Salesman’s Kimono Sample which he took with him from village to village, and from which he took orders back to the Tailor who would then make a Kimono to match for some lucky woman. Part of the design of the Kimono has been filled in by hand, while Kanji characters appear in the upper right hand corner.
The design is based on a vision of nature’s flowers. The emphasis is on a stylized version of nature, but a certain vagueness is preferred by the Japanese artist to absolute clarity in the rendition. The bird’s eye perspective, causing the eye to follow the flow of the flowers down the kimono represents an “orderly” adaptation.
The first Japanese retailers were traveling salesmen who spanned the length and breadth of Japan in order to sell their wares. This practice strengthened and grew during the Tokugawa or Edo Era (1615- 1867) when civil wars were eliminated. This marvelous piece of Japanese Costume and Cultural History has been placed in double acid free mats that coordinate with the colors of the Salesman’s Sample and is framed in a lovely gold wood frame that has an elaborate inner dark oriental-style border.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
Professional packing and shipping provided within the continental United States
