This listing is for a vintage Japanese wedding kimono (kakeshita - a kimono layer under the uchikake) from The Fuller Collection. See below for details on the provenance of this beautiful garment.

Kakeshita are wedding kimono that are belted and worn underneath an uchikake kimono, but they are no less sophisticated and elegant. Kakashita are typically lighter weight, with a lighter padding at the hem, a yuzen-dyed rather than woven fabric, and patterning that may have a "blank" area at the waist where the obi would be tied - although this one does not have a blank area!

This kakeshita is likely from the 1950s or older, based on the color, design, and crepe silk. We absolutely love the auspicious noshi (ribbon) pattern, which comes from a fishing village tradition of bundling abalone strips to celebrate a good catch.

Collaged among the noshi are mums, pine, paulownia, and more, all in rich autumn tones of red, orange, and gold on black. There are five white circles - blanks that would be painted with the family crest of the wearer - and since they're "blank" we suspect this kimono was never worn.

The kimono is in very good condition - but there are blemishes on the lining where the sleeve meets the bodice (see photo) and a couple of places where there seems to be a dye bleed on the outer fabric (see photo), but it is barely noticeable and does not detract from the wearability or displayability of this kakeshita.

We offer sturdy wooden rods for hanging these dazzling displays - see options below.

The Fuller Collection – originally over 2000 kimono – was the passion and pride of Richard Fuller of Chicago, IL and Wabasha, MN. Richard served as a US Marine in post-war Japan, and there began his love of and appreciation for vintage Japanese kimono – especially wedding kimono. Richard saw that the mastery and artisanship of traditional Japanese textile techniques was waning – threatening to die out altogether – which sparked his mission to promote this industry and preserve what he could. Click here to read one of his interviews.

Together with his wife Janith, Richard invested in thousands of kimono and obi, opening Wind Whisper West, a kimono gallery in Wabasha, MN in 2003. Most of the collection was sold there, but several hundred pieces remain. Richard passed in 2020, and Janith has consigned the remainder of the collection to Kyoto Kimono to offer through our website. We are honored and proud to be stewarding the Fuller Collection as each piece finds its new home and continues to bring wonder and beauty to admirers around the world.