Imperial Shadow Kimono - Artist signed - Pure Silk Hand-painted heirloom.

One of one. 5-Crest Vintage Japanese Tomesode. Globally Imported from Japan. Heirloom.

A garment of quiet authority — silk as dark as midnight, alive with intricate gold detailing and hand-painted botanicals that shimmer softly with each shift of light.

Across the hem, gold ferns arch gracefully over a landscape of camellia and peony blossoms, framed by a mosaic of geometric brocade patterns in muted teal, ivory, and rose.

Every motif — from the layered florals to the lattice medallions — is rendered in delicate metallic threadwork and fine pigment, creating a surface that feels almost illuminated.

This is a 5-crest (go-mon) tomesode, the most formal kimono worn by married women of distinction.

Its five white family crests mark it as a piece once reserved for ceremonial occasions of the highest order — weddings, imperial events, and moments of lineage and honor.

The black silk body represents dignity and refinement; the decorative hem expresses prosperity, endurance, and beauty within restraint.

Signed by the original artist, this tomesode captures the soul of Japan’s Shōwa era — an age when craftsmanship met quiet opulence.

It is not simply worn; it is collected, studied, and remembered — a timeless fusion of art and heritage.

Collector’s Details

• Era: Shōwa (1960s–1980s)

• Origin: Japan

• Type: Tomesode (formal kimono)

• Crests: 5 (go-mon) — highest level of formality

• Fabric: 100% vintage silk

• Technique: Hand-painted with metallic surihaku and gold couching embroidery (kin-koma-nui)

• Motifs: Camellia (tsubaki), peony (botan), and fern — strength, prosperity, and renewal

• Secondary Design: Geometric brocade panels in teal, gold, and rose — symbol of artistry and balance

• Artist’s Seal: Present on interior panel

• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with gentle wabi-sabi character