Meisen Monogatari” Exhibition at Kobe Fashion Museum: Taisho Era Kimonos

　The exhibition “Taisho no Yume: Secret Meisen Monogatari” is currently being held at the Kobe Fashion Museum (Naka 2, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City).

Mr. Kiryu says, “There was more freedom in kimono culture in the Taisho period.

　The exhibition features about 60 items from the 600-piece collection of Ms. Masako Kiryu, a collector and researcher of meisen. Meisen is a type of suri silk fabric produced mainly in the northern Kanto region and popular from the Taisho era to the early Showa era. Meisen was popular as school uniforms for schoolgirls because it was less expensive than other fabrics of the time, had good coloring, and was rich in colors. After World War II, the number of kimono wearers decreased and production declined, and today production continues in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, and Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture.

　In this exhibition, instead of full-body mannequins, the kimonos were dressed on torsos, with obis and accessories that match the period and patterns, to better convey the design and coordination of meisen and the atmosphere of the period in which they were worn. Meisen with bold and colorful changes based on traditional Japanese patterns will be introduced, as well as garish meisen with flowers, butterflies, and small birds. Meisen with abstract and bold designs influenced by Europe and Russia, and patterns such as “Runway and Zero-sen pattern” and “Zero-sen pattern on the side steps” reflecting the postwar period have high historical value.

　Mr. Kiryu, who encountered meisen in Kyoto where he spent his student days, said, “The Taisho period was more liberal in terms of kimono culture. I think that meisen can increase the imagination of both the wearer and the viewer, transcending the conventional image of kimono.

　The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00. Admission is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for university students and those 65 and older outside Kobe, and free for high school students and younger, and those 65 and older within Kobe. The exhibition “Festivals and Butoh Costumes from Around the World” will be held at the same time.