About the materials of vintage kimonos

We strive to provide as accurate information as possible about the vintage kimonos we carry, but it is sometimes difficult to say for sure that all kimonos are 100% silk. We hope you will understand the following points to understand why.

1. Loss of quality labeling due to aging

Many vintage kimonos do not have clear quality labels like modern ones. In particular, kimonos from before the war and the early Showa period generally do not have detailed information about the material. In addition, certificates and labels are often lost over time, making it difficult to identify the material.

2. Use of blends and different materials

Traditional kimonos are mainly made of silk, but sometimes contain other materials. For example, cotton or rayon (artificial silk) may be used for the lining or for partial reinforcement, and it can be difficult to tell just by looking or touching it. Also, some kimonos from the Edo and Meiji periods have other fibers mixed into the silk due to spinning techniques.

3. Effects of dyeing and processing

Silk has been a material that has been processed in various ways since ancient times, but the texture can change due to special dyeing and post-processing, making it difficult to distinguish from pure silk. Also, some dyeing methods use chemical fibers, so there are cases where it cannot be said with certainty that it is 100% pure silk.

4. Limitations of Scientific Testing

Nowadays, there is technology to identify materials by analyzing fibers, but it is difficult and cost-unrealistic to have all vintage kimonos appraised by a specialized institution. Therefore, we determine the material based on our experience and knowledge, but we cannot make 100% definitive statements.

Thank you for your understanding.

In order to provide the most accurate information possible, we carefully check the material and condition of the items before selling them. However, due to the nature of vintage items, we cannot guarantee that they are 100% silk. Please be aware of this beforehand.

If you have any questions about the material, please feel free to contact us.