Cultural • Visual • Insightful
One of the most recognizable symbols of Japanese culture, the kimono has evolved alongside society while retaining its iconic T-shaped, straight-seamed form. This richly illustrated volume traces that evolution through the twentieth century, exploring how shifting influences—from Western dress and modern practicality to postwar identity, pop culture, and high fashion—reshaped the kimono’s visual language.
Featuring more than 200 full-color photographs, the book offers a vivid look at garments that move beyond tradition into storytelling and commentary. Insightful text introduces readers to Omoshirogara kimono—playful, amusing, and visually inventive—as well as Sensōgara garments that reflect wartime and propaganda themes, revealing clothing as both personal expression and cultural document.
Both scholarly and visually captivating, this book invites readers to see the kimono not only as dress, but as canvas—one that records history, humor, and identity with striking creativity. It reflects the Palmera Collection’s appreciation for objects that carry meaning, beauty, and depth.
This is fashion as narrative—layered, expressive, and culturally resonant.
Why You’ll Love It
• Over 200 full-color photographs for complete visual immersion
• Explores playful and politically charged kimono designs
• Insightful commentary by a renowned textile historian
• Balances cultural history with striking visual storytelling
• A compelling addition to fashion, art, or design libraries
