Sitter: Madame Tatakimi Mitsui (    ).

At the Second Court of the Season, Madame Takakimi Mitsui, daughter of a Japanese marquess and married to a son of Baron Mitsui, head of a banking, shipping and mining family, was presented by the wife of a Spanish diplomat, the Marchesa de Merry del Val.

Four years earlier, during a royal tour to Japan, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII) was the guest of a banquet given by the Mitsui family, at which he “was received so cordially and spent so enjoyable a time”.

The Mitsuis appear to have launched themselves with a vengeance into London society, and the press reported on the successful concerts and dances they held, while pointing out that they were indeed ‘old money’ as the Mitsui banking house was older than the Bank of England!

For the Court on 9 June 1926, Madame Mitsui wears a rich hand-embroidered princess gown in shell-pink lucette made by Jay's of Regent Street. The skirt forms panels that are heavily embroidered in a design of large open marguerites in dull and bright bugles, with swags and a bow embroidered on the bodice. The square train is bordered with dull and bright marguerites and stylised leaves and scrolling stems.

Madame Mitsui also wears an Art Deco diamond bandeau, a rope of pearls and a diamond pendant, and carries an ostrich-feather fan.

Biog: -

Date: 9 June 1926.

Occasion: The Court, 9 June 1926: presented by the Marchesa de Merry del Val.

Location: The Lafayette Studio, 160 New Bond Street, London, W.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: Court dress: "Richly hand-embroidered princess gown in a lovely shade of shell-pink lucette. The skirt formed panels handsomely embroidered in a design of large open marguerites in dull and bright bugles; the same embroideries were carried out in a similar design on the bodice. The square train tapered to a point on either shoulder, and was bordered with the dull and bright marguerites in bugles" (The Morning Post, 10 June 1926, p 16e).

Costume Supplier: Jay's, Limited, Regent Street.

Jewellery: A diamond tiara and ornaments.

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop.

Photographer: Lafayette Ltd., 160 New Bond Street, London, W.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 6.

Copyright: V&A Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

References:

Biog: -

Occasion: The Morning Post, 11 June 1926, p 16f.

Costume: The Times, 10 June 1926, p 21c; The Morning Post, 10 June 1926, p 16e.

Costume Supplier: The Times, 10 June 1926, p 21c; The Morning Post, 10 June 1926, p 16e.

Jewellery: The Times, 10 June 1926, p 21c; The Morning Post, 10 June 1926, p 16e.

Reproduced: -

Additional Information: -

Acknowledgements: -