Japanese? 30s? Tunic?

denisebrain

denisebrain

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The previous owner of this tunic said she believes it is Japanese and dates from the 30s. It is definitely silk with a fine double twill weave. The lining is silk and there are small shoulder pads. The embroidery includes silks and metallics. There are side belt loops; hidden hooks and thread loops up the front.

I have the feeling it truly is old (like 30s) because the wrinkles cannot be removed, even by the dry cleaner.

Can anyone tell me anything about the item? I can't seem to find anything comparable online.

yellowsilkasianlisa1v.jpg


yellowsilkasianlisa2v.jpg
 
Those do look like Japanese family crests and it does look a lot like obi silk. But the cut of the jacket is western with Chinese influence. Could it have been a custom designed and made piece for a Westerner living in Japan?

Hollis
 
I agree it doesn't look like a Japanese style. Western with Chinese influence...that makes sense to me. The fabric and construction both seem old, but the fabric/embroidery older perhaps. It could be a remade kimono.
 
i agree, it could totally be a remade kimono ~ there were quite a few custom tailors in HNL that did fabulous reworking of old Japanese textiles...one lady had a shop up on King St, have no idea if she's long gone or not...that was late 80s, early 90s...and that was what she did ~ she reworked/redesigned old kimonos into "contemporary" fashion.

but, it just might be a gorgeous custom design from many many years ago, too. Oriental inspired fashions come in and out of fashion quite often, and in exotic ports, like HNL and Singapore and Hong Kong wealthy tourists often have a traditional design tailor made to fit.

tough call, nearly impossible to date. but absolutely divine.
 
I imagine there were a lot of clothes being made from older obis and kimonos after the war, especially during the American occupation for sale to Ameircans as souvenirs in exchange for currency and goods. My guess would be late 40s made from an older obi.
 
These are great suggestions everyone, thank you~

From the look of the lining and other aspects that might be newer, I'd say this part of the work is still fairly old, I think 30s-50s.
 
Maggie, That is a very beautiful and delightfully detailed blouse. I don't know the age however I think if I were a possible customer I would appreciate your 30s to 50s time frame with a description explaining how the details fit the different eras.

I like it because it is really pretty and it does look like a combination of eras to me. :)

Caryn
 
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