Kimono Exhibition

Two Maiko by Gekko Ogata (1880) Tying the obi skillfully is an important aspect of kitsuke, the art of wearing a kimono. There are many different styles of obi belts, which can be tied in many different ways, depending on occasion, social position, or personal...

Working Woman With Tasuki by Kunichika Toyohara (1870) Since kimono were worn by all echelons of society, practicality was often a necessary consideration. For working people needing to keep their long sleeves from becoming soiled or damaged, a cord or...

Moga Girl by Kasen Ohira (ca.1930) The above print depicts a beauty dressed in the latest fashion style of the period. In the 1920s and 1930s such fashionable women were called ‘moga’ (abbreviation of 'modern girl'). This was Japan's equivalent...

Beauty in Summer Kimono by Kunichika Toyohara (1869) The beauty in this print is shown wearing a light summer kimono. The summer months can be extremely hot in Japan so this young woman is trying to find the best way...

Nobles in European Fashions by Chikanobu Toyohara (1899) Composed of Emperor Meiji, the Empress and their retinue, this party is on a walk along the Sumida river, admiring cherry blossoms. Ladies wear sumptuous Victorian dresses and hats while the emperor...

The Poet Ono no Komachi by Nobukazu Watanabe (1891) The famed poetess Ono no Komachi (c.825-c.900) is seen wearing the Heian Period junihitoe kimono. Poetic names were given to different combinations of twelve coloured layers, which were skillfully selected to indicate status...