Klaas Kleiterp als tweejarige in een badjas op een grindpad in Madjene 1922

This photograph captures Klaas Kleiterp at two years old, somewhere in Madjene. He’s wearing what appears to be a bath robe, styled like a traditional Japanese kimono, a garment deeply laden with symbolism. The kimono, with its T-shape and wraparound closure, has roots in ancient Chinese clothing. But it was the Japanese who truly refined it, elevating it to an art form, with specific colors, patterns, and fabrics signifying age, social status, and occasion. Think of the elaborate kimonos in ukiyo-e prints or the flowing robes of Noh theatre. Here, the choice of a kimono-style robe for a young boy in Madjene speaks to the cross-cultural influences of the time. Yet, even in this casual context, it evokes a sense of ritual, a connection to a rich heritage. This garment echoes through time, its form and symbolism resurfacing in unexpected places, each appearance colored by the context in which it is worn.