This listing is for a vintage Japanese wedding kimono (kakeshita - a kimono layer under the uchikake) from The Fuller Collection. See below for details on the provenance of this beautiful garment.
Kakeshita are wedding kimono that are belted and worn underneath an uchikake kimono, but they are no less sophisticated and elegant. Kakashita are typically lighter weight, with a lighter padding at the hem, a yuzen-dyed rather than woven fabric, and patterning that may have a "blank" area at the waist where the obi would be tied.
This kakeshita is breathtaking. The S-curve of the waves and cranes that sweeps across the back hem, rises up the left side and arches across the shoulders is so strong that we can almost smell the ocean breeze.
Dozens of white cranes seem to follow the swell of blue and green bands as they crest at the shoulder. Contrast the bold colors with the small groups of cranes in flight that were woven into the silk itself.
What makes this kakeshita extra special is the designer's mark (hanko or logo) which was dyed into the front right panel - out of sight from the public but a sign of the value and uniqueness of the kimono. Unfortunately we have not been able to identify the artist's name.
If you need a display rod to hang this kimono, choose one from the optional add-on tab below.
The Fuller Collection – originally over 2000 kimono – was the passion and pride of Richard Fuller of Chicago, IL and Wabasha, MN. Richard served as a US Marine in post-war Japan, and there began his love of and appreciation for vintage Japanese kimono – especially wedding kimono. Richard saw that the mastery and artisanship of traditional Japanese textile techniques was waning – threatening to die out altogether – which sparked his mission to promote this industry and preserve what he could.
Together with his wife Janith, Richard invested in thousands of kimono and obi, opening Wind Whisper West, a kimono gallery in Wabasha, MN in 2003. Most of the collection was sold there, but several hundred pieces remain. Richard passed in 2020, and Janith has consigned the remainder of the collection to Kyoto Kimono to offer through our website. We are honored and proud to be stewarding the Fuller Collection as each piece finds its new home and continues to bring wonder and beauty to admirers around the world.
