Unknown artist, Japanese

Both of these textile lengths were produced as 20th-century kimono fabric and represent the traditional auspicious symbols of spring. Clusters of peonies, called the “King of Flowers” by the Chinese, are a symbol of good fortune and erotic love. Chrysanthemums and cherry blossoms (the most beloved flower of the Japanese and a symbol of the ephemeral) are flowers that typically represent different seasons, indicating that by around mid-century, strict adherence to traditional seasonable representations in dress were relaxed.

The second textile features clusters of peonies and also lilies, which is a flower introduced very late into Japan, and not part of the ancient vocabulary of symbols.