Coat 1895 - 1905

This coat was made by Iida & Co./Takashimaya, in Japan. While its exact date is unknown, the garment presents a fascinating study in form, line, and the interplay between naturalism and stylization. The coat is dominated by the figure of a peacock. The bird’s body and upper tail are rendered in a relatively naturalistic manner. The artist focuses on capturing the iridescent blues and greens of its plumage. As the tail descends, the feathers transition into highly stylized, almost geometric forms. The repetition of the ovoid “eye” pattern creates a rhythm that moves down the length of the coat, guiding the viewer’s gaze. The garment plays with the tension between representation and abstraction. The peacock’s symbolic association with beauty and pride is heightened by the artist's manipulation of form. The choice of the peacock, traditionally a symbol of opulence, introduces a discourse around cultural values. The convergence of Japanese aesthetics with global fashion underscores the fluidity of cultural signs and symbols. The coat remains an open text, inviting ongoing interpretations.