Kimono

This spectacular kimono perfectly exemplifies the dramatic change in design scale that was one of the signatures of early 20th century Japanese textile design. The overlapping uzumaki, or whirlpool motif, covers the entire surface of the kimono with a strong rhythmic sense. Uzumaki was one of the designs that travelled from Japan to Europe and back again; a precise case of cross cultural influence. Kolomon Moser and Gustav Klimt embraced the motif into their design repertoire and as the Seccessionist movement in Austria became known in Japan the Europeanised whirlpool motif became popular in textile design.