My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
Peaceful Willow Branches Over Running Water On Black Silk. Story time. A few days ago, I was clicking mindlessly through my usual kimono-buying haunts. You know, just seeing what's good, what's interesting, what's new, and perhaps what's mislabeled for my grubby little claws. I ran into this one with just a frontal picture. It also … Continue reading Antique Hikizuri–Willow & Water Wheel
Another one of my heroes has passed. I spent my night doing this instead of anything productive. I'm just really fucking sad right now.
Well, I've gone and done it. I bought myself a proper kimono stand. If I'm going to pretend to take this blog very seriously, then I should have one, right? I built one for myself awhile ago using some raw materials and by modifying an existing clothes hanger, and I was and still am pretty … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Meiji Era Iko
A Calm Fancy Goldfish On Cream Shear Silk With Silver Lacquered Threads So I bought an obi stand. It was a little bit of a mess when it came to me, as the lacquer finish had become a bit milky. As it has been explained to me, that happens when it's been exposed to a … Continue reading Antique Nagoya Obi–Regal Ryukin
Vibrant White And Red Plum Blossoms Intertwined With Golden Pine Sprigs On Black Silk. It's chilly for May, so it felt like a good day to show this one off. I'm kidding. I don't have a good excuse to show this one off. I don't need a good excuse to show this one off. In … Continue reading Taisho Kuromontsuki-Living The Dream
Flaming Red Silhouettes Of Bamboo Stalks And Leaves On Decadent Silk. This week has been kind of wet and miserable, so I've taken some time to start photographing some of my absolute favorite "full kimono" pieces in my collection; meaning pieces that aren't a jacket (haori, douchugi, michiyuki). I'd also like to point out that … Continue reading Taisho Era Houmongi-Sasa Sunset Fire
I took a step back after every piece of hardware was fitted, everything was right, tight, and anything that was mobile was moving as it was supposed to be. Is there anything else? Did I miss something? Did a shitty paintbrush drop a hair in the varnish again? Did I accidentally scratch the surface again … Continue reading Taisho Era Kyodai–Restoration Complete
I'm currently in a state of limbo with several projects where I'm either waiting for something to dry, waiting on materials, or it's just a big project and I'm spending a few hours a week on it and it'll be done when it's done. Fight me. But since I am not currently out of space, … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Antique Small Tansu
Can you just feel the confidence spewing from me in that title? Well, I'm honest if nothing else. What I do know about this thing is that it's big, it's amazing, it's beautiful, it needs repaired, and that I absolutely had to have it. What I don't know about it is...well, just what in the … Continue reading Restoration in Progess–What Even Is This?
I started this journey looking for a haribako--a sewing box. You see, right now I'm using a tackle box, and it's fine I guess, but as my collection of silk threads, couching threads, needles, and other such repair items for my antique kimono repairs gets larger and larger, it's starting to be a massive pain … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Taisho Era Kyodai
Silk & Bones 