My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
What In The Actual Hell Was The Artist Thinking These Things Will Give Me Nightmares On Black Silk. Who wants to watch me write up a blog on a kimono that I have literally no attachment to, was a little squicked--yes that's the technical term, shut up--out by, and cleaned up for display anyway? You … Continue reading Antique Kurotomesode–Eyeless Cranes
Vibrant Young Pine Growth With Gilded Fronds On Black Silk. This magnificent beast qualifies as one of my first restorations. Unfortunately, that also means I didn't think to take literally any progress pictures when I first started working on it. I also didn't bother to save any of the original seller photos, or take any … Continue reading Taisho Kurotomesode–Glowing Pines
One of my habits is to collect small damaged items, and then hoard them like the bizarre little goblin that I am until I feel knowledgeable enough to attept to repair them. This is one of those stories. -Law & Order BLNK BLNK- Over the last few days, after tackling an entire iko (kimono stand), … Continue reading Antique Kougai Repair
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
Warm Hued Black Silk Gauze Internally Painted With Drums And Weeping Willow. Did you see it? The sun! The goddamn sun was out today! And we edge ever closer to springtime here in the US Midwest. It's currently the proper mud season, but it's trying to be warm and so here I am, continuing my … Continue reading Antique Haori–Summer Music
There are a few risks--or maybe "hazards" is a better word--when buying vintage and antique kimono domestically. You are, frequently:A. buying from someone who really doesn't know what they have, and never knew how to care for itB. buying based off of really bad photosC. cannot anticipate how they will ship it.D. ALL OF THE … Continue reading Meiji Kuromontsuki–Hidden Decadence
Bright Summer Flowers And Books On Sheer Black Silk. This one is a rare bird, also covered in adorable little plover birds. I believe it to be late Taisho to early Showa Era, probably not any younger than the 1950's. That's an inspired guess based on the feel of the fabric, the themes, and the … Continue reading Vintage Furisode–Summer Reading
I'm posting about this delightful vintage furisode early because it arrived to me early and I simply cannot contain myself. Pictured: CANNOT. BE. CONTAINED. I picked this kimono up knowing damn well that it was going to be a restoration, but I gotta admit, guys, I was just smitten when I saw her. SMITTEN. Her … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Velcro Dreams & Kinsai Wishes
This is a vintage/antique haori. I am still in the middle of sewing this beast back together. But since I have bothered to take photographs of both the damage and my progress, I thought I would share what's going on in my restoration station. Haha, there is a vein just throb-throb-freaking-throbbing in my forehead as … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–An Adventure In Vintage Roses & Goddamn Sharpie
Colourful Phoenix On Soft Black Silk Adorned With Flowers And Fans This kimono almost broke me. When I say that it almost broke me, I mean my spirit/heart/mind/whatever. I don't remember what this was listed as when I bought it because a huge amount of frustration and RAGE has overtaken my memories of acquisition. This … Continue reading Taisho Furisode–A Lesson For Restoration, Or Adventures In Futility
Silk & Bones 