Katazome Indigo Cotton Hanten

Vintage Japanese kimono, selected for its textile quality, craftsmanship, and wearability. Traditionally worn as robes, these garments lend themselves naturally to contemporary dressing.

 

• Era: Mid-late Shōwa period (c. 1950s–1980s)
• Textile: Medium weight cotton. The name on the front 「由希」 (Yuki) symbolises a personalised mark of identity and pride on this custom-made Hanten coat. Garments like this were commissioned by or gifted to individuals for local neighbourhood festivals, trade gatherings, or traditional artisan workshop roles, serving as a functional uniform that allowed the wearer to be recognised instantly from both the front lapels and the back monogram. The bold name typography and the underlying striped pattern are entirely printed using Katazome (a traditional stencil-dyeing technique). A hand-cut paper stencil was utilized to cleanly layer a rice-paste resist made from glutinous rice flour and rice bran over the base fabric. When the entire garment was immersed into a natural indigo dye vat, the paste-printed sections completely blocked out the color. Once washed away, this resist technique left behind crisp, clean white graphics structurally locked alongside the printed stripes against a deep, vibrant blue.
• Silhouette & fit: This piece in one size, unstructured cut with straight-cut sleeves and a relaxed drape. Designed as a one-size form that layers easily and moves across seasons and body types.
• Styling: Traditionally worn as robes, these pieces can be worn open over dresses or tailored separates for everyday ease, or styled as a statement layer for evening and occasion wear. They are equally suited to display as textile art when not in use.
• Condition: As vintage textiles, signs of age and wear are expected. Small stains, repairs, fading, loose stitching, or minor tears may be present and are part of each garment’s history.
• All orders come lovingly packed in recycled silk bags

• One size: fits S-M comfortably
  • Length 35"
  • Chest 48" round
  • Hip 48" round
  • Cross-back 24"
  • Sleeve length 18"

+/- a tolerance inherent to hand made clothing

• Fabric: 100% cotton
• Handfeel: Mid weight cotton with a stiff drape and lightly textured hand
• Care: Dry cleaning recommended
• Origin: Japan

 

 

Textile Story

 

This collection of vintage Japanese kimonos was personally sourced during a recent trip to Japan, through temple markets, antique fairs, and specialist vintage kimono dealers in Tokyo.

 

The selection represents a highly considered edit, informed by more than two decades spent living, studying, and working within Japanese and Indian textile cultures. Each piece was chosen not only for its wearability, but for the quality of its cloth, the integrity of its craftsmanship, and its distinctive character.

 

Japan occupies a special place within my own journey. At eighteen, I moved there to study, remaining for six formative years. It was during that time that I first wandered the temple flea markets and antique fairs that continue to animate Japan's collecting culture today. Among stalls piled high with old textiles, indigo workwear, baskets, ceramics, and forgotten garments, a lifelong fascination with heritage textiles quietly took root.

 

The kimonos gathered here reflect the extraordinary depth of Japan's textile traditions. The collection includes examples of kasuri (ikat) weaving, meisen silk, intricate shibori resist dyeing, woven patterning, hand-painted decoration, and richly coloured silk cloths. Many reveal unexpected details hidden from view - vibrant contrast linings, finely finished interiors, and small gestures of craftsmanship intended to be discovered through wear.

 

These garments are authentic vintage Japanese kimonos. We offer them not only as clothing, but as cultural objects and wearable textiles; preserving and extending the life of existing garments while celebrating the traditions, anonymous makers, and material histories from which they emerge.

 

No two pieces are alike. Each carries the marks of its own journey, embodying the quiet beauty of age, use, and careful stewardship across generations.