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3. An Unlined, Shibori Kimono: Safflower Dyed Hemp Japan ca. late Nineteenth, early Twentieth century hemp 54" x 47", 137 cm x 119.5 cm |
The clear and bright fuchsia color of this unlined hemp kimono was obtained by extracting color from safflower, known in Japan as benibana, which is a bright orange flower and a popular Japanese dyestuff. The kimono was dyed using the shibori, or shape-resist, method. It shows the popular design motives of folding fans, plum blossoms and the plover, or chidori scampering over the incoming tide. This distinctive dye color is the result of removing the yellow color from the benibana, the remaining dye being a clear red. The fuchsia tone is obtained by mordanting the dyed cloth, where a chemical change occurs and the color goes to bright pink. This kimono was dyed in Japan's eastern region, most likely Tohoku. See a similar example, Ando Hiroko, "Japanese Tie-dyeing", Kyoto Shoin's Art Library of Japanese textiles, Kyoto Shoin Co., Ltd. pp. 16-17. Detail: close-up Detail: front |