My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
As you can see, even though I do a lot of restorations, I'm using the word preservation in this title. Well! Now seems like a good time to have this conversation, because I do make a distinction between the two, and it's a good question to ask: When do I decide that the goal is … Continue reading Preservation In Progress: Meiji Uchikake–Majestic Minogame
This one is close to my heart, so of course I've been driving myself the fuck insane working very hard on it. You'll remember this furisode that I stumbled on, and today I'd like to show you some of my progress. Stain removal has been very hit and miss with this one, so it's turned … Continue reading Update: Restoration In Progress– “Great Big White Birds”
Today, for a little change in pace, I'm going to take you through my process for evaluating a kimono when I receive it. So the "where do I begin" is actually pretty literal--this is where I start every time I bring a new (LOL--new to me) item in. I've been asked this a few times, … Continue reading The Process–Where Do I Begin?
Candy Bright Blossoms And Foliage On Deeply Textured Light Olive Silk. In case you missed it, I am going to goddamn eat this kimono. I'm going to eat it raw. I don't usually go for the dull olive shade (that's what color it is in person, I swear), but just looking at the way those … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Delicious Blooms
Vibrant And Uniquely Designed Sword Guards On Crackle Textured Black Silk. Top tsuba: Kaede (maple leaf), kamon, and one magatamaBottom tsuba: Ume (plum blossoms) and branchesSeigaiha (waves)Ryu (dragon)...I'm actually not sure what this is supposed to be, if not just a flourish.Tsuru (crane)Ume (plum blossoms)Matsu (pine) Botan (peony)Sasa (bamboo), kani (crab)Sasa (bamboo)Tsuki (moon), nami (waves)Tsuki … Continue reading Antique Haori–Hold My Tsuba
Flamboyantly Colored Phoenixes In Flight Over Bright Pines And Chrysanthemums On Red Silk. I picked this piece up recently, and it's already up here because I get real goddamn excited about things that qualify as oddballs. And there's so much delightful strangeness going on with this piece that it makes me vibrate with joy. Ever … Continue reading Antique Irotomesode–Flashy Phoenix
Misty Silhouettes Of Bamboo Leaves And Blood Red Dragonflies On Sheer Black Silk. I'm going to take a pretty big risk here. I'm going to open this giant, gaping hole in the center of my face, and I'm going to challenge the Old Gods at their game, and possibly summon their wrath to my back … Continue reading Taisho Komon–Bog Witch
Stylish Snow Crystal Rings With Regal Carts And Tranquil Watersides On Airy Cream Silk. Before I get started, I'd like to point out that one of my favorite parts of writing each entry is coming up with the little italicized flavor text up there. Because I always want to write it out in a somewhat … Continue reading Antique Maru Obi–Summer Snow
Every so often, I get a question or nine hundred about what certain terms that I use mean. Usually they're questions about the Japanese words, motifs, formalities, eras...you know, the hard stuff. But most recently, I've received a few emails and messages about what I mean when I comment on the condition of a kimono, … Continue reading Random Tidbit–Shattering
A Haughty Majestic Phoenix Entangled With Blooming Flowers On Black Silk. That's right, I'm calling it a birb. It's a word I use every day. I have parrots, after all. To be honest about this one, I bought it domestically in a bundle with a maru obi that I'll detail later. I wanted the obi, … Continue reading Taisho Kurotomesode–Sassy Birb
Silk & Bones 