When Art Became Fashion: Kosode in Edo-Period Japan

The kimono, almost emblematic in its association with Japan, has all but disappeared from the daily life of the population. For "once-in-a-lifetime" events, however, such as weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and graduations, the kimono is still worn, bringing a host of nostalgic feelings to both participants and observers. Capturing the essence of Japanese female beauty, it is the embodiment of traditional cultural values. The word kimono replaced, in the late 1800's, the term used for centuries to describe the garment: kosode.

This volume draws together approximately 150 examples of kosode from the Edo period, the high point in the flowering of this most exquisite of arts. It was during this time that fashion became a highly developed industry in Japan, one that affected all levels of society. The popular literature of the period abounds with minute descriptions of dress.

When Art Became Fashion: Kosode in Edo-Period Japan features many outstanding examples from Japanese and American collections and focuses on the different forces that influenced their designs. Whether through color, dyeing technique, or decoration, they reveal a continuum in Japanese textile artistry that extends to the kimono of today. Like the kimono, the kosode is Japan.