MARUBENI GALLERY holds an unique kimono exhibition

Japanese society experienced a wave of Westernization. The exhibition highlights how modernization transformed women’s kimono fashion in the late 19th century. It led to greater variety and boldness in styles.

The exhibition showcases how Japanese women wore kimonos in the Edo period (1603-1868). It also covers the Meiji period (1868-1912), a time of social change brought by modernization. Kimonos from the Marubeni collection and photographic archives demonstrate trends in kimono fashion and textile dyeing techniques from these eras. The display includes not only kimonos but also obi sashes and accessories.

The kimonos from the Marubeni Collection are exhibition highlights. Each is an elaborate artwork with motifs including trees, birds, mandarin oranges, books, and curtains. These motifs show the craftsmanship of the times.

The exhibition reveals that modernization sparked bold changes in kimono and obi sash styles. This diversity illuminates a significant shift in women’s fashion.

In the late Edo period, a long “hem” of the kimono was in fashion for stylish wear. After the Meiji period, shorter kimonos became more popular for comfortable movement.

Photographs from the period reveal dynamic ways of wearing obi sashes not commonly seen today. The actual lengths of the kimonos also suggest that Japanese women at the time were shorter than women today.

MARUBENI AND MARUBENI GALLERY

Blue-Green-Tinted Uchikake with Plum Tree and Butterfly Noshi Motifs

Marubeni is one of the big sogo shosha (general trading company) that handle textiles, metals, machinery, chemicals, energy, food, paper, and more. They also provide financial and information services.

Established in 1858, Marubeni grew as a textile wholesaler until World War II and later became a general trading company. In the early 20th century, Marubeni Shoten initiated two textile-related projects.

First, in 1925, they formed the Society of Textile Masterpieces with the aim of collecting and studying antique textiles and applying the knowledge to the creation of modern textile products.

Second, in 1927, Marubeni Shoten established the Society for the Study of Textile Designs (Akane-kai) to develop new textile designs. It is a group of 70 artists from diverse disciplines.

Marubeni Shoten also inaugurated an exhibition called the Senshoku Ippinkai (Exhibition of Gems of Textiles). It was later renamed Textile Art Exhibition, known as “Bi-ten), based on the designs.

MARUBENI GALLERY is known for its rich Kimono collection and periodically hosts thematic exhibitions. If you visit the gallery wearing
Ca kimono, admission is free! You may see many women wearing kimonos in the gallery.

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Marubeni Gallery
3Floor, Marubeni Tokyo Head Office
4-2, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Access: Direct access from Takebashi Station Exit 3a (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)