This kimono (140 cm long and 128 cm wide) is woven from hemp, a fibre well suited to Japan’s hot and humid summers. It is dyed with a small quantity of ai, the Japanese Indigo plant, giving it the distinctive light blue colour called asagi-iro. On the back of the kimono three comma-like swirl symbols known as mitsudomoe are printed onto the surface in white. However, in Japanese culture true beauty is hidden on the reverse. In this case it is a hand-painted scene on the lining with daruma dolls and two male figures.