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 an elaborate design, full of interesting motifs. Front and center is the kabuto - a samurai helmet - topped with a fierce green dragon and adorned with panels decorated with traditional Japanese design motifs. Furthering the samurai motif is a decorated saddle on the left sleeve and beautifully decorated stirrup and a matoi banner, used as banners by fire fighters in the Edo Period.
Below the kabuto are more juvenile elements that connect more to the age of the little boy who might have once worn this kimono. A small child of the Edo Period pulls a toy cart filled with four "treasures" - a magic mallet, a scroll of wisdom, a key to a treasure house, and a lucky raincoat and one item we can't identify.
Some elements are embellished with satin stitch embroidery or outlined in gold couching.
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 of crossed arrow feathers.
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.).
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