Kimono

The kimono, which means 'the thing worn', is the traditional garment of Japan. From the 16th century it was the main item of clothing for both sexes and all classes of society. This child's robe was made and worn in Okinawa, the largest of the islands in the Ryukyuan archipelago that stretches to the south of mainland Japan. The rhythmic design of a stylized stream, ducks and irises was particularly favoured by the Ryukyuan aristocracy. It was created using stencils and bright mineral pigments using a technique called bingata.