This listing is for a vintage Japanese boy's formal kimono, called a miyamairi. These ceremonial kimono typically have a dramatic design in the center back and are framed across the top and bottom with a dark band of color. Family crests are typically stenciled across the top section. This style of kimono makes a beautiful display and though they are wearable, they are not play clothes and are not likely to survive the play life of an active child! See video below for more about how these are worn at festivals.
This kimono doesn't feature the typical dark band of color or the family crests of a miyamairi, but was likely made and used for the same purpose.
The background is a light celery green with hazy clouds filled with a seigaiha (overlapping waves) patterning stenciled in gold leaf. Elegant cranes in flight float above in traditional colors of white and black with red crowns. Look closely to see the excellent shading details on the wings.
Unfortunately, there is one area on the back that has some minor mottling, but you have to look closely to find it amongst the overall beauty of the kimono. See last photo.
Miyamairi have two main purposes. First, it is a ceremonial garment draped over an infant boy for his first visit to the shrine with his parents and grandparents to thank the gods for safe delivery of the child and pray for blessings. The kimono is wrapped around the baby and the long silk bands are tied behind the mom or grandmother who holds the baby during the ceremony. Secondly, miyamairi are worn for the Shichi-Go-San festival, when the boy is five years old and goes again to the shrine to pray for his and his family's good fortune. (See video below on the Shichi-Go-San Festival day for one young family in Japan.).
Read More...
