Showa Textiles

A super fine Japanese summer unlined (Hitoe) Kimono made with a soft Asa fiber blended with silk. The garment was hand-stitched and dated to circa 1930-50s Showa period. It is hard t...

Symbolizing Happiness And Longevity Japan, a rare antique hemp noren (doorway curtain) with auspicious congratulatory crane and turtle figures symbolic for happiness and longevity....

A magnificent example of Japanese textile artistry, this vintage maru obi dates from the Taisho to early Showa period (circa 1920–1950). Woven in luxurious silk, it features a richly detailed brocade design with mythological dragons encircled by flames and stylized clouds—symbols of strength, protection, and imperial authority in Japanese culture. The opulent gold and beige ground is accented with bold tones of red, green, black, and purple, showcasing intricate weaving techniques and vibrant color contrasts. Hexagonal panels with floral motifs in gold and black add structure and visual rhythm to the piece. Measuring 341 cm in length and 32 cm in width, this maru obi was traditionally worn for formal kimono occasions and would have wrapped fully around the waist. Today, it makes a powerful statement as a display piece—whether mounted as wall art or draped as a textile sculpture—highlighting the beauty and craftsmanship of early 20th-century Japanese weaving...

A stunning Japanese obi textile from the Shōwa period, masterfully woven from silk with exquisite raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) detailing. This formal maru obi features a rich and in...

apanese Silk Obi Table Runner with Peony Motif Japan, 20th century Dimensions: 440 × 32 cm This luxurious silk obi has been repurposed into an elegant table runner. Woven with shimm...

Japanese kimono, richly decorated with polychrome embroideries with silk and metallic threading, bright red silk set, embroidered decoration and appliqué, motif of flowers and horses...

A vintage Japanese Showa era handcrafted silk brocade woman's wedding kimono circa 1940 with intricate hand-embroidered details depicting large flowers and a cart. Steeped in cultura...

It is a Japanese indigo dyed antique cloth. It calls its name "fu-ro-shi-ki". Originally used in the dressing room of the public bath "furo" during the...

Japanese kimono, richly decorated with polychrome embroideries with silk and metallic threading, featuring a motif of flowering prunus to a cream-white ground. Lined with bright red ...

A wonderful handmade vintage silk Obi sash/ belt featuring a rather unique hand-drawn scene with a crow and trees. Signed and stamped by the artist...

A wonderful, handcrafted work of a Japanese monk/ old man doll shadow puppet who appears to be making an offering of some sort. Oshie, which translat...

A well preserved Japanese Meisen kimono hand-sewn from woven Ikat Silk circa 1920-30s (Taisho to early Showa period). The kosode style kimono (small slee...

A well preserved Japanese Meisen kimono hand-sewn from woven Ikat Silk circa 1920-30s (Taisho to early Showa period). The kosode style kimono (small slee...

A striking and well preserved Japanese Meisen kimono hand-sewn from woven Ikat Silk circa 1920-40s (Taisho to Showa period). The kosode style kimono (sma...

A wonderful, beautifully ornamented and somewhat rare fully intact Japanese Buddhist monk/ priest's Kesa ceremonial silk robe featuring various colorful birds in flight. Kesa (which came from the Chinese word "kasaya") robes have been handmade/handstitched by monks/priests as an act of devotion as ceremonial robes for centuries in various Asian cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, etc.). The kesa is a rectangular garment designed to be worn over the left shoulder (see example image). The robes are made (often in a patchwork column pattern ranging from five, seven, nine or more pannels) specifically for fully ordained Buddhist monks, priests and nuns and are made from donations of exquisite textiles from wealthy patrons of Japanese Buddhist temples. The robes were used in daily ceremonies, temple gatherings, and private meditation. Antique Kesa robes...

A wonderful, handcrafted work of a regal Japanese samurai/warrior doll shadow puppet. Oshie, which translates as pressed pictures, is a traditional Ja...

A vintage Japanese silk Kuro Tomesode Kimono, circa 1950s-1980s. Kuro Tomesode is a dress for married woman for the most formal occasions, equivalent of the evening gowns in the west. It is overall black, decorated only with patterns of bright colors on the bottom. This kimono has three Mon family crests on the front and back shoulder. It is lined with white silk in its interior. On the front, it features exposed white stitches around neck and breast, a very subtle and elegant touch. The bottom part of the kimono is decorated with an embroidery imagery of two phoenix in flight. The lavish use of gold and polychrome threads and meticulous rendition of the birds contrast greatly with the otherwise sober black background. Pheonix is the mythical bird traditionally represents the Queen or Female Supreme in Chinese culture. Known as Hoo-oo in Japanese, Pheonix is a symbol of good fortune, power and divine wisdom and represents the sun goddess Amaterasu, the Queen of Heaven and Creation, who was believed to be the ancestor of the lines of the Japanese imperial family...