This unique antique miyamairi kimono is crafted from fine silk and displays yuzen-painted motifs of a dragon and guardian dogs. Measuring 35 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 37 inches in height (89 cm x 94 cm), the three-clawed dragon depicted on this kimono holds a tide-compelling jewel in its right claw.

In Japanese folklore, the dragon symbolizes protection from fire, and its depiction is often associated with safeguarding against flames. During the Edo era, firemen often adorned themselves with dragon tattoos or wore padded jackets embroidered with dragons for protective purposes.

The portrayal of dragons in Japanese art often conceals parts of their bodies with swirling clouds or storm waves, as their full form is believed to be too terrifying for mortals to witness entirely. At the autumn equinox, the dragon descends into the sea bearing the tide-compelling jewel, a mystical symbol associated with omnipotence and the granting of wishes in Buddhist beliefs.

This kimono specifically portrays the crystallized and finalized golden yellow jewel, symbolizing the origin of the Earth, within the dragon's claw. This sacred jewel, initially depicted as flaming, undergoes a transformation, liquefying before crystallizing into a luminous sphere, representing the planet's inception.