This silk dounuki features shibori-dyed "taijitu" or yin-yang motifs within the bodice and tsumugi silk and katazome-dyed hems measures 49 inches from sleeve-end to sleeve-end and 55 inches in height (124 cm x 140 cm). The yin-yang symbol, representing the "diagram of supreme ultimate," originates from Taoism, a Chinese philosophical system introduced to Japan.

This symbolizes the harmony of opposites, depicting the interplay between yin (the receptive, dark side) and yang (the active, bright side), symbolized respectively by the black side with a white dot and the white side with a black dot. The representation of yin and yang embodies the concept of opposing forces coexisting and complementing each other.

Yin represents qualities such as darkness, passivity, and femininity, associated with elements like water and the moon. Yang, on the other hand, embodies brightness, activity, and masculinity, linked to attributes like fire and the sun. This symbolism aligns with the Taoist philosophy's principles of balance and harmony in nature.

The inclusion of yin-yang motifs on this kimono, although rare in Japanese textiles, suggests that the family who commissioned it likely embraced Taoism. Despite being the third most influential traditional philosophy in Japan, after Buddhism and Shintoism, Taoism had a significant impact, as reflected in certain artistic and cultural expressions like this kimono.