potd - Silk

A busy day -  here's one of my favourite silks...

potd - Obi

We have a lot of obis at the moment....

 

 

potd - Creative Kokeshi

Some 'creative' kokeshi dolls in the shop at the moment...

 

potd - Rummage Basket

Restocking the fabric rummage basket - where all the cheap fabric odds and ends and old linings go...

potd - Chrysanthemum Katazome

Chrysanthemums  (kiku)  were introduced into Japan from China over a thousand years ago. They're the  most common motif that I see on katazome (stencil resist dyeing) indigo futon cover fabric. They symbolise nobility, purity and longevity  - and they're beautiful.  Here are a few I've got in the shop at the moment. They date from late 19th - mid 20th century.

 

 

potd - Kimono Silks

Oops I've been falling behind with my photos of the day and not much time today either... here are some green kimono silks from mid-late 20th century. It's not a common kimono colour so Takashi is always on the look out for more rolls.  These photos show something of the range of designs we get in our silk

potd - Printing Blocks

A few more small  wooden printing blocks....

potd - Sekka Shibori

Sekka  (snow flower) shibori  is made by folding the fabric and clamping between boards (itajime) before dyeing. It's done on a quite open weave white cotton fabric and was traditionally used for nappies and some  simple clothing. We just got in this beautiful full roll. I spend my days with indigo fabrics but rarely as vibrant as this...

More about sekka shibori here.

potd - Otsu-e

Quite incredibly, these prints have been done on very fine cedar shavings backed with washi paper. The smallest ones are  approximately 20cm x 13cm. These are traditional otsu-e folk designs from near Kyoto. They aren't particularly old and were probably made to sell as souvenirs. I'll be putting them out soon. We've got quite a lot of most of the designs.

potd - Boy's Kimono Silk

I'm just putting this out in the shop. It's a small roll of silk for a boy's ceremonial kimono. Mid - 20th century.

Market Day Sale

The Kingston Beach Handmade Market is on again tomorrow in the hall next door and I'll be open  from 10am - 3pm with a Market Day Sale.  Discounted  silk and other kimono fabrics, threads, remnants and more. I hope you can come along for a bargain and check out the crafts and much more at the market.  Information here .

potd - Calligraphy Box

I'll be putting this beautiful old calligraphy box out today. It's lacquered and covered with fine bamboo (I'm not sure what this work is called)  and silver 'chokin' engraved decorations.

potd - Chiyogami

Traditional handmade chiyogami paper...

 

potd - Antique Japanese Cotton

I've been putting out more antique  indigo cotton. These are mostly hand-dyed and  handwoven kasuri and katazome. Kasuri is Japanese ikat in which the threads (warp and weft or just weft) are tie-dyed before weaving. Katazome ('stencil dyeing') involves stencilling a rice paste resist before dyeing, creating designs such as these flowers and cranes.  These date from the late 19th to mid- 20th century and are taken from old bedding and clothing.