Kimono at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg

 

    Through June 8, 2025, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg is hosting what may be the most beautiful museum exhibition that I have ever seen:  "Kimono:  The Triumph of Japanese Dress."  

From the museum website :

"For many of us, the word 'kimono' immediately conjures up mental images-probably of geisha, the famous artist-entertainers of Japan in their elaborate, traditional dress. However, the word kimono itself has a much broader meaning and encompasses clothing not just for women, but for men, girls, and boys. These garments range from exquisite ceremonial robes to simple everyday clothing, many of which follow the same, simple but sophisticated construction. But, depending upon their ornamentation or materials, these remarkable garments can convey an extraordinary amount of information, from major social movements to the seasons of the year.

This exhibition, organized around several interwoven themes, will feature over one hundred extraordinary kimono dating from the late Edo period (1603-1867) through Shōwa era (1926-1989). It will include examples of furisode, the kimono with beautiful, long sleeves worn by young women or stage performers, and men’s juban, the austere but elegant under-kimono often decorated with mythical scenes or wrestlers.

The exhibition will also explore the manufacture of these incredible garments, from the weaving of the tanmono-the long, narrow bolt of cloth of which they are sewn, to the creation of the decorative designs which ornament them. In addition to finely woven damasks or brocades, many kimono feature intricate free-hand painting using a resist process, often combined with superb embroidery using gold-wrapped or even lacquered threads, as well as glorious shibori, which is akin to Western tie-dyeing. Also, the exhibition will incorporate related accessories, including obi-the prized, traditional sashes, as well as Japanese photography, woodblock prints, and decorative arts." 

    The kimonos selected for display are stunning, and they are arranged and displayed in a manner that shows them off extremely well.  The descriptions and posted information are quite informative, describing not only each piece but also kimonos in general and how they were created and worn.

    I particularly found the kimonos from the 1920s through the 1940s interesting because they reflect the growing militaristic fervor that was gripping Japan at the time.  There's overt military imagery, but there's also one that features very militaristic and warlike cranes, a departure from traditional Japanese symbiology in which cranes typically represent longevity, good fortune, peace, and hope.  

    This exhibition is a total must-see.  Here are a few more of my favorites.