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
Oftentimes in conversations with other kimono enthusiasts about stain removals, the first thing I describe doing other than possibly licking a stain like a goddamn psychopath is popping open a seam to get an absorbant material between the layers. What I have neglected to do thus far, however, is actually describe my procedure for doing … Continue reading Tutorial–Opening & Closing A Seam
Hanging Baskets Filled With Chrysanthemums And Adorned With Treasures On Blue Silk. I think that it is fair to say that all of my favorite kimono are oddballs. If there's something weird, unusual, or less than traditional about it, I'm all over it. The reason for this is actually rather simple: I'm fucking weird because … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Precious Little Details
Delicate Blue And Purple Blooms With Lush Green Foliage On Sheer Midnight Silk. I didn't really intend to buy this one when I threw it on my watch list. It's not an item in need of restoration or repair of any kind, and in truth I gueesss I don't really need another summer kimono. Then … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Midnight Summer
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
Deep Intense Purple Silk Adorned With Bright Roses And Peonies. I think probably the fastest way to get me to spend money on something is to have it be just the right shades of purple. I'm not sure I'd call this one a restoration in fairness, but I would call it a shitshow an adventure … Continue reading Antique Houmongi–Violet Roses
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
Silk & Bones 