My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
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
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
Cranes In Flight Over Wild Waves Of Festive Blossoms And Decorative Boxes On Blue Silk. Welcome back to another showcase because my wrist is still fucky and I gotta tell you I am so goddamn bored. Oh my god. I'm not allowed to do anything, and I'm about as far from ambidextrous as you can … Continue reading Antique Irotomesode–Ocean Blue
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
Sunset Orange Peony In Full Bloom On Smooth Patterned Lavender Silk. I had actually been stalking this one for awhile. I'm going to stick with the word stalking because anything gentler might not make me come off as slightly unhinged, and I wouldn't want to lie to you about what kind of person I am. … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Dusky Skies & Bright Blossoms
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
Peafowl In Courtship Dance On Bright Red Silk With Peonies And Butterflies. This restoration was pretty much the smoothest, least complicated restoration I've ever done. The stains were mostly things that could be scraped off with a fingernail, and what couldn't be was wiped away pretty easily. The fabric is in excellent shape, so re-sewing … Continue reading Restoration Complete: Taisho Furisode–Classy Peacocks
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
Dusky Black Woven Silk With Sweet Blooming Roses And Climbing Ivy Leaves Pictured: Restoration Complete If you have been following along, then you might recognize this haori from this post. The restoration is complete! While she is not perfect, the fading is under control, the goddamn Sharpie has been removed, and she has been completely … Continue reading Antique Haori–Warm Roses & Ivy
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?
Silk & Bones 