A Brief History Of… The Flowering Kimono
Although the term ‘kimono’ may bring to mind lushly flowering cherries, and elegant, long stemmed irises, the word itself simply means ‘something to wear’. Designed to articulate the wearer’s gender, status, and age, it wasn’t until the 1600s that the kimono departed from its more pragmatic role in society and rose to the lofty heights of botanical art.
The kimono’s styling reflects Japan’s reverence of nature, and the ancient Japanese belief in the protective and symbolic powers of plants. This is is true even in their creation. Many of the dyes used in the traditional coloring process are plant derived, and imbue the robe with their special powers. For example, purple is the color of inextinguishable love. Gromwell, the plant used to create this purple dye physiologically reflects this metaphor, sporting extremely tenacious, very long roots. The careful designs of bamboo, wisteria, chrysanthemums and hollyhocks deliver precise messages about life and wisdom. Pine, bamboo and plum are the ‘Three Friends of Winter’ (pictured above) and stand for longevity, perseverance, and renewal. Cherry blossoms symbolize the fragility and beauty of life.
True to Japanese art and nature itself, each design mirrors the effervescent quality of beauty, almost capturing the breath-holding moment when spring’s fragile blossoms begin their perilous end-of-season cascade.
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