My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
Flocks Of Cranes In Flight Against Clouds Of Gold On Black Silk. You know I'm sitting over here with a digital pile of photos of my work to sort through and process for sharing, and then a literal pile of kimono that need to be finished and then photographed for completion. But I just received … Continue reading Meiji Furisode–The Birb Flies At Midnight
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?
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
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
Vivid Pink Plum Blossoms Against A Gilded Temple With The Seven Treasures On Purple Silk. If I'm being accurate, I have been finished with this piece for a few weeks now. I wanted to wait until my new iko (kimono stand) was ready to do this entry. Originally, she was the first piece I was … Continue reading Castles & Dreams–Restoration Complete
I sat silently on the floor in my room with both hands over my mouth after I hung this up. My little ritual when I open up a new kimono package is to avoid inspecting it closely until I have it hung up properly. Then I just sank to my knees; I was speechless. I … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Castles & Dreams
Pictured: OHMIGOD OHMIGOD OHMIGOD OHMIGOD Or at least I think it's an uchikake. I'm actually not fully sure. I rarely get to handle uchikake this old to begin with, and this will be the first that I own if that's what it is. I know that older ones tend to be structurally different than the … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Meiji Takarabune Uchikake
Cranes In Flight Over Soft Glowing Pine And Ivy On Black Silk. This is a rather recent addition to my collection. It was meant to be another potential project, as I had purchased it domestically and the seller photos were a bit vague. So I was prepared for weirdness, but actually she's in really good … Continue reading Taisho Furisode–Cranes & Pine
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
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
