1929 Painter's Linen Blouse – Reissue Edition (unisex)

100% Linen | Fabric and Sewing: Made in Japan

We have faithfully recreated an original blouse (smock) that was featured in the catalog of KAWACHI ART SUPPLIES SHOP, first published in 1929 (Showa 4).

This blouse was designed in a time when many people still wore kimonos.

It features wide sleeves and a flat shoulder pattern, characteristic of that era.

The sleeves are intentionally a little shorter — exactly as shown in the original catalog.

Whether it was to prevent the sleeves from getting dirty, or because people were generally shorter back then, we’re not sure.

Rolling the sleeves up slightly creates a charming look.

We have added small wooden buttons, with only the top button visible when fully closed.

The fabric is made from thick linen yarn spun using the oldest spinning method called semi-wet spinning.

The relaxed, roomy shape makes it easy to layer over chunky knits, and it can also be worn like a lightweight coat.

Although blouses like this have become rare today, we believe they are still incredibly practical — especially for painting. They slip on easily and cover the sleeves completely, making them ideal for artists.

The wide sleeves and generous body allow for comfortable movement, even when layered over heavy clothing. We designed it so that it could be worn as an outer garment as well.

The strap under the collar on the back is made from linen canvas traditionally used for oil painting. It’s intended to let you hang up your smock — say, on an easel — after a day's work.

The more paint stains it collects, the better it looks. We hope you will create your own story with this smock as you dive into your creative work.

By the way, the word blouse comes from the French "blouse," which originally referred to an outer garment worn by farmers and shepherds in the 18th century — later adopted by painters. In English, it’s sometimes called a smock dress or smock coat, now considered a fashion item in its own right.

(Model: 156.0 cm / approx. 61.4 in)