‘Tiger’ han juban, Japan, Meiji (circa 1890), cm 94x54. The ‘han juban’ is an half length garment which is worn under a kimono. Those used by women were, in the past, often obtained by patching together silks obtained by discarded kimonos, and the results were often amazing assemblings of multi-coloured silks. ‘Male’ jubans were more conservatively done, and obtained from new silk cloths sometimes, in the most prominent ones, hand-painted with auspicious motifs or situation from tales or legends. The present lot is such a case where, on a pearl silk cloth, a tiger – symbol of strength and moral integrity - has been painted. Also the lining has been decorated, possibly with a scene from a tale i couldn’t identify, though. In very good condition, with just some little sign of use and age, this is lovely item indeed. Recommended.