This kimono arrived today, courtesy of Japanese Antiques, a new vendor for me.

It's always slightly nerve-wracking when you try out a new vendor. Japanese Antiques has some really beautiful items, usually starting at about $9.99, or even $4.99 for a haori, but they charge a little more than Ryujapan for shipping, so it's nice to be sure. 

Fortunately, this kimono is absolutely beautiful. The meisen silk has an incredible richness and lustre, and I think I will get a lot of wear out of this kimono. 

Meisen was a very common fabric in the early part of the 20th century, but ceased production by the 1960s. Older Japanese people, says Ichiroya, feel a great nostalgia when they see meisen, as it was the fabric of their youth - everyday wear for middle-class people and occasionwear for working-class people. 

The thing that is most attractive about meisen is its smoothness and lustre - it feels 'deep' as a silk, very tough, almost like parachute silk or an oiled silk blind, and it is very cosy to wear.