This is a black silk kimono called 'kurotomesode', the most formal kimono for married women. It has wonderful hand drawn design of tsuru (crane) and matsu (pine).
Some parts such as the female flower of the pine and the red-crown of the crane are embroidered. The colour gradation of the kimono may have been by ‘Bokashi-zome’ dyeing by special brush. The bottom of the kimono is slightly padded.
It has a bachi-eri (folded lapel). Even the bottom lining has the pattern. The kimono has five mons (family crests). The symbol of the mon is hanabishi (flower-shaped family crest).
The textile is exquisite chirimen (crepe) silk and has a soft and comfortable touch. The lining is off-white silk. Wings of Desire is a very attractive vintage piece.
This kimono is quite long. Please check the measurement. You may need to have a bit of tuck at your waist with this length of kimono unless you are very tall. You can adjust the length by using a koshihimo (a cord tied around the waist of a womans kimono to hold it in place). Koshihimo is available for £4. Please ask for more details.
It has certain wear and some other flaws including discolouring and slight smudges on the lining, but I don't personally think they are too obvious, as a whole, it is in very good condition for the age. Please check detail photos and 'Extra Images'.
Note: This kimono does not come with a belt. If you would like one, please check my casual obi collection on casual-obi-belt.html. Prices start from £8 or £10 for a belt.
