Outer kimono (uchikake), plain weave silk crêpe with embroidered and freehand paste-resist dyed (yūzen) decoration, Japan, 1750-1800 The second half of the 18th century saw a dramatic change in kimono design. Large scale, often singular, motifs gave way to small-scale patterns rhythmically scattered over the whole surface. These were generally executed in freehand paste- resist dyeing (yūzen), sometimes with touches of embroidery. [29/02/2020] The short sleeves of this kimono indicate that it was probably worn by a married woman. The delicate design of flowers, birds and butterflies at the water's edge was created using a freehand method of drawing in paste on the fabric surface, a resist-dyeing technique known as yuzen. Touches of red, gold and green embroidery provide added contrast against the blue ground. Kimono of blue silk crêpe, paste-resist dyed (using the yuzen technique) and embroidered with a design of flowers and leaves in a watery landscape, with birds and butterflies. This design is cream coloured, but parts of it have been emphasised by application of couched silver gilt thread, and coloured floss silks in satin stitches. Some of the leaves have also been slightly painted. The back and front of the kimono each consist of two long panels joined at the centre front and back. A flat collar band extends round the neck from the waist. There is no extra fullness and the hemline is padded with cotton wool in the traditional manner. The sleeves have been left unstitched for a short distance under the arms. The kimono is lined with red silk.