This is a vintage Japanese boy's formal kimono, called a miyamairi. These ceremonial kimono typically have dark bands at the top and hem, with a dramatic design in the center, light-colored section, along with up to five family crests. 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 below for more about how these are worn.
This kimono features a very lightly colored takaruabune - the ship filled with treasures from mythology that sails from the heavens at New Year's bringing gifts of prosperity. Those gifts include a kakuragasa (a hat of invisibility), orimono (a bolt of brocade fabric), kanebukuro (a bottomless money pouch), kagi (the keys to a treasure house), makimono (scrolls of wisdom), kozuchi (magic mallet that grants wishes), kakuremino (lucky raincoat), hagoromo (robe of fairy feathers) and nunobukuro (bottomless bag of treasures). The ethereal coloring of the central image adds more of the "other world" effect to the design, in contrast to the more vibrantly colored versions that are more commonly seen.
Three white cranes float above the ship, guiding the voyage. Some elements are outlined in gold couching. Mt. Fuji in the distance. Unlined. Some light blemishes on the front, see last photo.
There are five family crests, indicating that this is the highest level of formality and would be worn to an event where the child represents the family. The crest motif is wood sorrel (katabami).
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...
