Hōmongi — silk formal kimono
Golden Boughs
Only one in stock
Each kimono is bought one at a time in Japan; we will not have another. These are authentic Japanese kimono, worn and kept before they came this far. The marks of time — the patina, the light wear — are part of the piece.
Description
The hōmongi is the kimono worn to pay a visit. The name says it plainly: hōmon, a visit. It sits just below the strictest formal grade — dressed enough for a wedding, quiet enough not to outshine the bride.
What sets it apart shows at the seams: the pattern is composed before the cloth is cut, so the branches carry from one panel to the next without breaking at the shoulder or the waist. The whole garment has to be drawn as a single canvas, then cut apart. This is called eba.
Flowering boughs rise from the hem towards the shoulder, embroidered in gold by the koma technique — the metal thread is not pulled through the silk but laid on top of it and couched stitch by stitch, so as not to tear it.
Worn open over something simple, it becomes a long coat. It asks for no obi and no ceremony.
Details
- Length (shoulder to hem)
- 157 cm / 61.8"
- Sleeve span (cuff to cuff)
- 128 cm / 50.4"
- Yuki (centre back to cuff)
- 64 cm / 25.2"
- Sleeve length
- 50 cm / 19.7"
- Front / back panel width
- 25 cm / 31 cm
- Fits approximately
- 152 – 162 cm tall, hips up to 92 cm
- Material
- 100 % silk
- Technique
- Eba pattern composed before cutting, koma gold-thread embroidery
- Seam allowance
- 6.5 cm — the length can be let out
Shipping
Sent from France, carefully folded and wrapped in Japanese paper. Times and rates are set out in the terms of sale. Returns accepted within fourteen days, except for pieces altered to measure.
Care
Dry clean only, with a specialist in antique textiles. The gold thread and koma embroidery tolerate neither rubbing nor direct steam. Store folded in paper, away from light.