My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
Vinegar Edition. If you're reading this, you might have come here from the Global Kimono Facebook group, at which point: Hi! If not, I have been posting little pictures and updates here and there about my stain removal process. Just last night (Hahaha, who are we kidding, it was 5 in the morning for me, … Continue reading Tutorial–Vintage Kimono Stain Removal
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
Gentle Irises On Deep Purple Textured Silk 100 Years Old The finished piece. I actually very recently finished this old girl, considering how long I've had her. It came to me with a lot of damage--as a lot of kimonos that I buy domestically do. In fact, I bought it as an "oriental bathrobe." What … Continue reading Meiji Furisode–Soft Ayame & …shaving?
A Proud Peacock In Flight Over Crashing Waves & Snowy Mountains The finished piece. I often refer to this piece as my "crown jewel." And that's actually not because of its classy-AF colours and themes, it's because it took me two years to restore it. I also refer to this furisode as the piece that … Continue reading Taisho/Showa Furisode–The “Crown Jewel”
Black Silk With Sugar Sweet Flowers And Cranes In Flight "How many of these do you have?" I hear them asking me, their faces stricken with nervous half smiles, teetering between delight and concern. Haha! Oh, we haven't even gotten started yet. I am doing these in chunks by date-ish and then type sort of. … Continue reading Taisho Furisode–Sweet Candy Colours
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
Red Silk Adorned With Cranes In Flight Over Wild Waves This is a delightful Taisho Era furisode, which I believe to have originally been a part of a San-Mai-Gasane, which is a set of three near identically patterned bridal furisode. I have only really seen pictures of sets with all three together, and the ones … Continue reading Taisho Furisode–Red Cranes & Waves
Silk & Bones 