This geisha silk 'susohiki,' a trailing kimono for dance, showcases yuzen-painted portraits of famous stage actors with embroidery highlights. It boasts five family crests and measures approximately 50 inches (127 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 68 inches (173 cm) in height. The 'susohiki' is a formal dance kimono worn by geisha, designed to trail on the ground, distinguished by its longer length and padded hem, allowing it to drape attractively during performances. This exquisite piece, depicting kabuki stage actors against a bamboo fence, likely references a specific performance and would have been worn by a senior and affluent geisha for important stage dance events.

This artwork is featured on page 59 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.  This textile is also illustrated on page 398 of our other book, Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries, which can be found here

and in Arts of Asia, January-February 2018, 134

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