Japan
1800-50
Monochrome figured silk (rinzu) with tie-dye (shibori) and embroidery
Width 137 cm x height 185.5 cm
Museum no. FE.101-1982

On this kimono, the shibori, or tie-dyeing, technique has been used to create a pattern of paper gift ornaments in the shape of butterflies. This has been combined with a motif of embroidered orange blossoms (tachibana). The red colour of the kimono suggests that the wearer was a young woman, although the short sleeves indicate that she was already married.