When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is a pre-WWII era Japanese kimono. The design includes battleships, airplanes, small pet dogs and toys.
What makes this piece unique and interesting is the sewn embroidered label at the neck: "Matsumoto’s San Francisco." It appears that it was handmade in San Francisco before the Pearl Harbor attack.
This type of kimono is considered a ‘propaganda’ kimono. They were usually worn privately at home. These type of kimonos known as omoshirogara literally translate to “interesting” or “amusing” designs. The fabric was printed in Japan. It was sewn in San Francisco, CA, USA.
From the measurements, it was probably made for a boy. Neck to Hem: 52”long; Sleeve end to Sleeve end: 58”; Under Arm to Under Arm: 26”; Sleeve width laid flat: 9.5”; No tie.
It is fully lined and is both machine stitched and hand stitched. The print colors are bright. Some navy-blue dye has rubbed/touched onto areas of the yellow silk lining. Some navy color has lightly bled onto areas of lighter colors, as in the sky. There are a few white spots on the blue from the printing process.
I do not see any holes or tears. No mustiness; the smell is neutral.
Wikipedia and Atlas Obscura (Nov 16, 2016) have excellent information and photographs regarding propaganda kimonos. Universities and museums have exhibited this art form. If the kimono was reliably processed to remove the blue dye transfer, it could easily be offered for website prices of $6,500.
