Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota

In the book Memoirs of a Geisha, there is description of the kimono as one of the most important parts of a geisha's persona. Kimono was wearable art, costing thousands of yen, more than one geisha could make. However, a kimono maker would often gift kimono to their "muse" or a wealthy daana would give kimono to their geisha as a symbol of their devotion.

Eastern art in general is produced in a completely different format than western art. First, most western painters work on their paintings and let the works evolve with each brushstroke. Eastern art is so intricately tied to spiritualism and philosophies that each brush stroke is carefully calculated to express that belief. Kimono is no different in this respect. Nature is the most basic expression of spiritualism and perfection beyond what humans can create on their own. So to combine the two, makes Itchiku Kubota a traditional artist.

Kubota revived an ancient technique of making Kimono called tsujigahana. Common in the 15th to 17th centuries, directly translated tsujigahana means "flowers at the crossroads." Specifically, the style is characterized by designs executed in stitch-resist in which areas are outlined in stitches and pulled tight to protect the fabric in the center from dye. He adds embellishments like ink painting, embroidery and gold leaf, replaced by the yuzen technique. The yuzen technique is a pictorial style of rice paste resist dyeing.

At the San Diego Museum of Art, I had the pleasure of viewing part of Kubota's magnum opus, called Symphony of Light. As you walk into the room of kimono, the "story" begins at the left, with autumn scenes. Following the kimono from that point, Kubota's kimono tell the story of coming winter and his masterpieces depict the changing of the seasons as nature is touched with a brush, changing the water to dark blues and purples, the trees to gold. As you walk around the room you can't help but have your breath taken away at the serenity of the scenes. The kimonos themselves shimmer as if dusted by gold.

Kubota passed away in the early 2000s, but his works live on in a gallery in Japan thats almost a work of art in itself.

In addition of the SDMA exhibit, a smaller exhibit is on display at the Timken at Balboa Park.