potd - Old Kimono Fabric

This is a roll of unused synthetic pre-war kimono fabric . Japan made a huge amount of rayon and other 'artificial silk' fabrics between the wars. I'm not really sure what this is - definitely not silk but I don't think it's rayon either.  I think it was probably quite a cheap fabric. The printing isn't very fine but the grey and orange is quite striking and a good example of how Japanese kimono designers had a knack for putting unexpected colours together. They seem to have become a bit tamer in recent decades  since kimono wearing became restricted to more formal occasions.