Item HT 43071 Handkerchief - Two Geisha, Silk, Japan, circa 1933-1943

Summary

This silk handkerchief features a printed image of two Japanese geisha in kimono, facing a view of palaces, temples and buildings in a forested valley with cherry blossoms (Kyoto?). The okobo style geta sandals on the standing figure suggest she is a 'maiko', or geisha in training.

The handkerchief may have been made in Japan for European/American export or appeared at the Japanese Pavilion in the 1933 Chicago World Fair, where other handkerchiefs from this collection were acquired.

It belonged to Emily Hannah Francis, of Garden City, and was part of a collection of 145 souvenir and commemorative handkerchiefs put together by Emily, sent to her by pen friends from around the world, up to her death in 1943.

Physical Description

Heavy silk handkerchief with machine-stitched edge and printed image. Image is of the back of two Japanese women, one seated on a blanketed bench , the other standing. They look out at a view of palaces, temples and buildings in a forested valley with cherry blossoms . They both wear kimono and decorative hair pieces. One has platform sandals and holds a large fan. There is a poem and makers mark/signature stamped in black ink on the handkerchief.