My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
I quite frequently get emails asking for an opinion on what/how old a kimono is. Typically this is pretty straightforward, but a few times now, what they had was an antique kurotomesode that had seen some shit. For a quick explanation, a kurotomesode is the most formal dress for a married woman that is identifiable … Continue reading Post World War II Kimono Brutality: Kurotomesode Edition
A Flock Of Doves In Flight Over Wild Waves And Majestic Gold And Silver Pine On Decadent Red Silk. On July the 24th, 2021 I posted this entry, after a bloody and violent bidding war for this kimono. For those joining this story here are the end, this is a piece that has been lost … Continue reading Restoration Complete: Great Grandma Akiye’s Furisode. “Great Big White Birds”
Tonight We're Revisiting My Favorite Kimono While I Talk About The Actual Massive And Inconvenient Pain In The Ass Healing Is. As this year comes to a close, I'm sure we're all sitting around wondering how we did. Well, maybe some of us actually know. The state of the universe is, as always, chaos, and … Continue reading Taisho Kuromontsuki–Ume Dreams & Matsu Wishes
A Waterfall Of Textures And Colors Interrupted By Figural Chrysanthemums. Yeah hi, you ever hate something so much you buy it? I don't usually, but this happened. It's worth noting that it wasn't expensive. I've spent more on fat kid night doordash than I spent on this kimono, but it literally found its way into … Continue reading Antique Sanpogi–I Bought This Out Of Spite
I wonder if to some it seems like this piece is taking a long time. To me, it feels like I'm clearing tasks pretty quickly. But I do take large breaks between the bits because my wrist occasionally threatens to leave. And since I don't need my own body parts sending me any ransom notes, … Continue reading Yet Another Update: “Great Big White Birds”
A Flock Of Cranes In Flight Over Full Pine Trees And Wild Waves On Smooth Black Silk. Oh look. I have another one of these all of a sudden. You're shocked. I'm shocked. We're all just really fucking shocked about this, aren't we? I don't have a problem. It's not like I'm over here snorting … Continue reading Antique Uchikake–A Whole Flock Of Tsuru
Fluffy Violet Peonies In Full Bloom Over Layers Of Foliage On Deep Yellow Silk. It's the end of March now, and the US Midwest has been drinking again what with the weather alternating between definitely still winter, mud season, and actually kind of hot. Go home, Chicagoland, you're drunk. But since it's been a minute … Continue reading Antique Haori–Spring Sunset
Majestic Mt. Fuji Overlooking A Misty And Watery Pine Grove On Smooth Black Silk. I definitely needed another one of these, right? Even if it didn't need anything in terms of restoration or repair, really? It's not that I collect things like furisode and uchikake (in short loose terms, wedding kimono) exclusively. It's that I … Continue reading Meiji Era Uchikake–Fujiyama Ukiyo-e Style
Decadently Woven Black Silk Adorned With Gilded Cranes In Flight Over Treasure Ships. In three days, I will have had this kimono for an entire year. And as a delightful songwriter once crooned, when it comes to this piece, the waiting was the hardest part. Nevermind that I had to sit here and scream at … Continue reading Meiji Takarabune Uchikake–Restoration Complete
Bright Berries And Peonies In Bloom On Decadent Textured Silk. It's now the new year. I've been running this delicious shitshow for a whole year, and so far there are no bodies to hide and I haven't lit anything on fire lately. Don't give me that look, you have to do the burn test sometimes … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Juicy Berries
Silk & Bones 