Search results (tags) for: "japan"

Furoshiki for the Holidays

2009-12-16T17:00:00-05:00

This holiday season, once the gifts under the tree have been ravaged and unearthed, avoid dragging that garbage bag of crumpled wrapping paper and wilted bows down the driveway. Designer and illustrator Jenn Playford offers an environmentally-friendly and irresistibly pretty alternative.

Jenn's interests in colors, graphics, and textile, led her to the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth of furoshiki, and eventually, her own line of reusable fabric gift wrap, called Furochic™. Here on The Storque, Jenn shares some techniques and inspiration from her book, Wrapagami, the Art of Fabric Gift Wrap, along with a fascinating history of this resurrected craft.

I love fabric. Walking into a store where the shelves are filled with beautiful fabrics makes my heart race with anticipation, and the gorgeous colors, textures, and patterns are always invigorating and inspiring. I have always enjoyed making things using my vast collection of fabric, ribbon, yarn, trinkets, gems, and odds and ends — and, especially, using these embellishments to decorate gifts. For years, pages from fashion magazines were my gift wrap of choice, as I felt that wrapping paper was wasteful. Eventually, my love for textiles and concerns about the environment prompted me to try wrapping gifts with fabric remnants from my collection.

An interest in Japanese art and design, especially textiles, led me to furoshiki, a cloth wrap used in Japan since the seventeenth century to wrap and carry items.

History of Furoshiki

Nara Period (Eighth Century): Starting in the eight century, a square piece of fabric called hokei-fuhaku was used to wrap special items of value, including clothing for Buddhist priests and elaborate minstrel costumes. The wrapping was called tsutsumi, and its main purpose was to protect and carry garments.

Edo Period (1603-1868): As bathhouses increased in popularity, the square wrap became known as furoshiki: furo meaning "bath" and shiki meaning "to spread." Furoshiki were used to carry toiletries and clothing to the bathhouses and were also placed on the floor to act as bathmats. During this period, wealthy families commissioned bridal furoshiki of different sizes, decroated with their family crests and symbols of good luck.

1800s: When cotton was introduced from overseas, furoshiki began to be produced on a larger scale. At the same time, people of Japan were traveling more for pleasure, often selling goods along the way. Furoshiki were used for not only transporting the travelers' belongings but also their goods for sale.

1900s: At the turn of the twentieth century, the advances in textile production — mainly automated looms from overseas — made furoshiki even more accessible to the public. Furoshiki became mass-produced, and the tradition of using cloth to wrap gifts was established. Gifts wrapped with furoshiki would often be presented in person; the person giving the gift would unwrap and reveal the gift, and then keep the cloth to take home. The bridal furoshiki also became commonplace, and the bride used the large cloths for wrapping her belongings and the small cloths for wrapping gifts.

Post-World War II: After World War II, the Japanese became more highly influenced by American culture, resulting in the decline of furoshiki. The invention of the paper bag, followed by the plastic bag and the emergence of supermarkets across Japan in the 1970s, contirbuted to the disappearance of furoshiki. Plastic boxes and bags replaced furoshiki as a means of storage and for carrying goods. By the 1980s, the custom of using furoshiki to wrap gifts had declined almost to obscurity.

1990s - Present: When Japan's economic boom ended in the early 1990s, people began to reflect upon the disadvantages and waste in a disposable society. In 2006, Japan's then Minister of the Environment, Ms. Yuriko Koike, launched a campaign to encourage the use of furoshiki, instead of paper and plastic, and bring back the cultural tradition of wrapping and carryin gitems in fabric. She designed a furoshiki called the "Mottainai Furoshiki," mottainai, translating to "waste not, want not." The result has been a renewed and widespread interest in the tradition of tsutsumi and a flowering of creativity associated with it. Furoshiki are beginning to be seen outside of Japan as people worldwide embrace greener lifestyles and adapt different cultural solutions to their own ways of living.

The 4-Tie Box Wrap is simple yet elegant. This wrap can hold almost any square box securely, and it works equally well for small or large and light or heavy packages. You can even carry the box from the top, holding it under the knots as a handle. The knots on top of the box give the illusion of a fancy bow.

What You Need
1 square wrap. The size should be large enough to have 5" (12.5cm) left after tying the knots. A 28" x 28" (71 x 71cm) wrap works well for a 6" x 6" x 4" (15 x 15 x 10cm) box.

Fabric Notes
Almost any fabric will work, but if your box is heavy, it is best to avoid stretch fabric. Stay away from fabrics that are too thick, or the double knots will be bulky.

Tips + Variations
This wrap works well with a scarf that has a 5" (12.5cm) border. The wrap to the right has a solid color border, which looks like a separate element sitting on top of the box — a big, complementary bow.

Tuck a note, card, or photo beneath the first (lower) bow for a surprise when the recipient opens the gift.

How to Do It
1. Lay wrap flat on a diagonal and place box in the center.

2. Pull up "b" and "d" and center above the box while arranging gathers evenly. Tie a square knot.

3. Adjust corners of first knot. Turn box and pull "a" and "c" up, arranging gathers evenly. Tie a square knot above the first knot.

4. Adjust bow corners so that there is one flap in each of the four directions.

The Over-the-Shoulder Wrap is simple yet functional. Three knots (two hidden) hold it in place and leave room for the bag to slide over a shoulder. Inside, there is ample room for items of varying sizes. It's a great way to wrap a gift for the crafty person on your list — fill it with yarns and other knitting and crochet supplies. This wrap can be easily reused because it holds its shape even after the gift is "unwrapped."

What You Need
1 square wrap. The wrap has to be at least 36" x 36" (91.5 x 91.5cm) to sit over the shoulder; otherwise, it will be more of a handbag.

Fabric Notes
A strong, durable fabric such as a thick cotton or denim is best. If the fabric is too flimsy, it won't hold its shape and may tear when carrying heavier items. Try a thick embroidered Chinese silk for a more formal look.

How to Do It

1. Lay wrap flat on a diagonal and fold "c" up toward "a" to form a triangle.

2. Gather corner "d" and measure approximately 1/2 the length of the side of the triangle. Tie into a single knot. Repeat the same for "b."

3. Flip the wrap inside out so that the two knots are sitting inside of the bag. Hold "a and "c" up.

4. Tie "a" and "c" into a square knot. Adjust fabric and gathers and place your gift inside the bag.

Thanks to Jenn Playford and the good folks at St. Martin's Griffin for sharing these projects with us. If you're looking for more reusable wrapping inspiration, check out Wrapagami and Jenn's Furochic website.

More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | How-Tuesday Series

Guest Curator: Shop Local With Diane Vadino

2009-11-25T14:27:00-05:00

Diane Vadino is a novelist, blogger, and printmaker. She is only 62 credits from completing an undergraduate degree in conceptual art. Her novel, Smart Girls Like Me, was printed in one language and in one country but earned an A- from Entertainment Weekly, and her author’s edition of it, with handmade covers, is available in her Etsy shop. She writes frequently about shopping around the world for magazines including Budget Travel and NYLON — in which she named Etsy as the "E" in the A to Z best things about America.

As a travel writer, I'm on the road almost constantly — I'm writing this column in a web cafe in Nepal, at the tail end of a seven-hour cross-country ride on a bus that bounced so hard the seats actually came loose. Bringing home unique, handmade pieces of art and design — and writing about them on my blog, Bunnyshop — are some of my favorite things about traveling, and I use Etsy's Shop Local feature constantly — whether to find cool designers when I'm away from home, or when I'm back in New York, hoping to buy (or write about) unique work from far away.

Bambina Vessels

I flipped when I saw these "Bambina vessels"— I love them, they're so gorgeous and delicate — by New Zealand designer Zekiah Heath (who goes by Popkraft on Etsy) at a small ceramics shop near Auckland, while doing a piece on NZ for NYLON. $26.

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Rhino Pastel Ndebele

This rhino is so adorable — the perfect souvenir from Johannesburg. By giggletree, $25.

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Taira Polka Dot necklace D

I love everything at the Homako shop, but this polka-dot necklace might be my favorite. Weirdly enough, I found her when I was looking for pieces from Japan — she's since moved to L.A., but I think they're just as good an aesthetic fit with southern California. Love them, love them. $27.

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The Royal Tenenbaums poster

There’s no shortage of amazing printed work in London, but these film posters by Claudia Varosio are some of the best I've seen. I love how she's able to distill each one down to a key image and the right colors and font. $16.90.

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Pure Noe Valley Honey - 16 oz, June 2009

I went to art school in San Francisco, so I know there's an unbelievable number of incredible makers-of-things there — including all sorts of homemade foods and drinks. I love that these honeys were made right in the middle of the city, in Noe Valley. By PollenPrincesses, $19.99.

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Small Porcelain Container

Shop Local is also an awesome way to find vintage pieces from around the world without leaving home — like this Chinese box from Singapore, now available from The Orientalist's shop. Most amazingly: free shipping to anywhere in the world! $50.

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Set of Pasta Bowls

I found these plates when I was writing about Etsy for NYLON and really wanted to include a designer from Brooklyn, my hometown. I was crazy about these hand-painted (yet dishwasher safe — always a bonus, even if I will be 100 years old before I have a dishwasher) plates from Michelle Antonisse. $65.

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Grace Backpack - Leather in Antique Brown and Brass

Ditto these pieces from Moxie and Oliver — I was looking for a designer based in the Northwest, and Seattle was the first city I searched. This is basically the most gorgeous leather bag I've ever seen — and completely handmade. $750.

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Reindeer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print

I once had to do a story on independent designers in Los Angeles and somehow came across this amazing photo of a reindeer (which I thought was a moose for basically forever). Sharon Montrose has a collection of other awesome photos of real animals — including a goat, a sheep, and a pony. Ridiculously excellent. $25.

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WaXxe in Blushing Soft Pink - Luxurious Plush Leather Hobo

I've been looking for a shop based in Thailand — it's my next stop after Nepal — and randomly it turned out that my sister, who co-writes Bunnyshop, featured ZhenUN, which just moved there, last week. My favorite is this soft pink bag with a hobo-ish shape. By zhenunleathers, $159.

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Handmade limited edition vintage 1960s fabric dress custom size

I've been working on a piece on street fashion in Stockholm, so I decided it was time to get some for myself. I love everything about this dress, which is made from 1960s vintage fabric. Plus: amazing print. Plus: adorable sleeves. Plus: pockets! By cristinapires, $150.

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Philadelphia's ill

I've been scouring Etsy for something to get my sister, who lives in Philadelphia, for Christmas. This "ill" necklace from Sharif — based on the Phillies' logo — is a definite finalist. It won't heal a heart broken in game six of the World Series, but at least it's something fun to wear come opening day in April. $20.

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Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

How-Tuesday: Tatami Socks

2009-08-04T17:00:00-05:00

I'm already looking forward to the coziness of bundling up this fall, and nothing is more comforting than a soft pair of hand-knit socks. If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest this coming weekend, August 6-9, check out the Sock Summit 2009! In the spirit of this knitting extravaganza, this week's How-Tuesday is a project from Judy Sumner's Knitted Socks East and West. The designs in this exquisite book are inspired by patterns of Japanese culture. Sumner writes, "What fun it would be to discover country after country of new stitch patterns!" I love the idea of traveling this summer through my craft projects. You can download the PDF of the Tatami Socks here, or follow along below, courtesy of STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book.

Purchase Knitted Socks East and West

I have been knitting for sixty years and collecting stitch dictionaries for much of that time, but a couple of years ago, I discovered something new. I found mention of a Japanese stitch dictionary on an online knitting list and, my curiosity piqued, I sought it out. I'd seen Japanese knitting magazines and had even taken a class on reading Japanese patterns, but I had never seen stitches like the one in this book. I had a shelf full of stitch guides, but this one opened my eyes to a whole new realm of possibilities. The stitches were extraordinarily beautiful and exquisitely crafted. Poring over the pages, I couldn't help but wonder where they had come from, and how long they had been around. Whose mind had seen something — a flower, or a butterfly — and been able to translate it into the ornate and complicated pattern in front of me? In the process of writing this book, what began as a foray into Japanese knitting turned into a crash course in Japanese culture.

These socks are named after the woven straw matting called tatami that is used as a floor covering in Japan. The main stitch pattern of this sock, while obviously knitted, looks woven. Today tatami are quite common in Japan, but when they originated in the seventh century, they were a luxury reserved for the wealthy; the lower classes covered their dirt floors with fabric mats. The tatami had two layers filled with rice straw and decorative fabric bindings.

In this pattern — one of the least complicated in this book — the woven "tatami" effect in the body of the sock is created with a simple six-stitch and eight-round repeat that requires only knits, purls, and the center double decrease. I sized my Tatami socks for adults and children. Both versions are worked from the cuff down, but on the adult version, the tatami stitch pattern is repeated twice on the instep. On the child's, it is repeated only once since the foot is much shorter.

Sizes
Child (Adult)

Finished Measurements
5 1/2 (7 1/2)" Foot circumference
6 (9 3/4)" Foot length from back of heel
5 1/2 (10)" Leg length to base of heel

Yarn
SR Kertzer On Your Toes Bamboo
(75% bamboo / 25% nylon; 100 grams / 328 yards): 1 skein #ON260805 Seashell Multi

Needles
One set of five double-pointed needles (dpn) size 2 (2.75 mm)
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions
Stitch marker

Gauge
25 sts and 38 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st)

Stitch Patterns

Pattern A (Child only) (multiple of 4 sts)
Rnds 1-4 and 6: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 5: *K2tog, yo, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 7: *Yo, ssk, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 8-11: Repeat Rnd 1.

Pattern B (Adult only) (multiple of 4 sts)
Rnds 1-4, 6, 8, and 10: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 5 and 9: *K2tog, yo, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 7 and 11: *Yo, ssk, p2; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 12-14: Repeat Rnd 1.

Pattern C
(multiple of 6 sts; 8-rnd repeat)
Rnd 1: *K3, yo, s2kp2, yo; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 2, 3, and 4: *K3, p3; repeat from * to end.
Rnd 5: *Yo, s2kp2, yo, k3; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 6-8: *P3, k3; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rnds 1-8 for Pattern C.

Leg

CO 36 (48) sts. Divide sts evenly among 4 needles [9-9-9-9 (12-12-12-12)]. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twists sts; place marker (pm) for beginning of rnd. Begin Pattern A (B); work even for 11 (14) rnds. Knit 1 rnd.
Next Rnd: Change to Pattern C; work even until piece measures 4 1/4 (8)" from the beginning, ending with Rnd 4 or 8 of Pattern C.

Heel Flap

Set-Up Row 1 (RS): K9 (12), turn.
Set-Up Row 2: Slip 1, p17 (23), working all 18 (24) sts onto 1 needle for Heel Flap, and removing marker. Leave remaining 18 (24) sts on 2 needles for instep.
Row 1: Working only on 18 (24) Heel Flap sts, *slip 1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: Slip 1, purl to end. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 seven (ten) times.

Turn Heel

Set-Up Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, k10 (13), skp, k1, turn.
Set-Up Row 2: Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 1: Slip 1, knit to 1 st before gap, skp (the 2 sts on either side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 2: Slip 1, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog (the 2 sts on either side of gap), p1, turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 one (three) time(s), omitting final k1 and p1 sts in last repeat of Rows 1 and 2-12 (14) sts remain.

Gusset

Next Rnd: Needle 1: Knit across Heel Flap sts, pick up and knit 9 (12) sts along left side of Heel Flap, M1; Needles 2 and 3: Knit across sts on instep needles; Needle 4: M1, pick up and knit 9 (12) sts along right side of Heel Flap, k5 (7) from Needle 1. Join for working in the rnd; pm for beginning of rnd-50 (64) sts [16-9-9-16 (20-12-12-20)].
Next Rnd: Needle 1: Knit to last 2 sts, skp; Needles 2 and 3: Knit across sts on instep needles; Needle 4: K2tog, knit to end-48 (62) sts remain.
Decrease Rnd: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, skp, k1; Needles 2 and 3: Knit; Needle 4: K1, k2tog, knit to end-46 (60) sts remain [14-9-9-14 (18-12-12-18)]. Work even for 1 rnd. Repeat Decrease Rnd every other rnd 5 (6) times-36 (48) sts remain [9-9-9-9 (12-12-12-12)].

CHILD SIZE ONLY
At the same time, when 12 sts remain on Needles 1 and 4, continuing with Gusset decreases on Needles 1 and 4 as established, change to Pattern C across Needles 2 and 3.

Foot

CHILD SIZE ONLY
Work even until 1 vertical repeat of Pattern C has been completed. Change to St st (knit all rnds) across all needles. Work even until Foot measures 4 3/4", or 1 1/4" less than desired length from back of Heel.

ADULT SIZE ONLY
*Next Rnd: Needle 1: Knit; Needles 2 and 3: Change to Pattern C; Needle 4: Knit. Work even until 1 vertical repeat of Pattern C has been completed.*
Next Rnd: Change to St st. Work even for 1 3/4".
Repeat from * to * once. Change to St st. Work even until Foot measures 8 1/4", or 1 1/2" less than desired length from Back of Heel.

Toe

Decrease Rnd: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, skp, k1; Needle 2: K1, k2tog, knit to end; Needle 3: Knit to last 3 sts, skp, k1; Needle 4: K1, k2tog, knit to end-32 (44) sts remain. Knit 1 rnd.
Repeat Decrease Rnd every other rnd 3 times, then every rnd 0 (3) times-20 sts remain (5-5-5-5). Knit to end of Needle 1.

Finishing

Break yarn, leaving long tail. Transfer sts from Needle 1 to Needle 4, and sts from Needle 3 to Needle 2. Using Kitchener st (see General Techniques, page 140), graft Toe sts. Weave in ends. Block lightly.

Thanks to Judy Sumner and the folks at Stewart Tabori & Chang for sharing this project with us.

Read more knitting-related posts. More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog. And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

Etsy Finds: Locally Grown

2009-06-24T12:00:00-05:00

Did you know that there is probably an Etsy shop close to where you live? Etsy sellers are located all over the planet — you can find them selling rings in Nepal, children's clothing in Morocco, and jewelry all the way up at the North Pole. If you want to find the shops in your own (or anyone else's) backyard, try out Etsy's Shop Local feature. Check out these picks from five various locations (including my home, Long Island), then go out and become an Etsy locavore.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Silver Bracelet

By zirconjoyas, $145.

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Hand Knitted Cardigan with Pockets

By ovejanegra, $130.

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Braided Cotton Necklace in Brilliant Colors.

By southstreet, $25.

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Purple Leather Belt with Agata Stone

By valento, $75.

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Long Island, New York

3 Leather Business Card Cases

By unemployeddesigner, $35.99.

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Punk Rocker Onesie Gift Set

By lowleepop, $34.

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Log Bolster Pillow

By sewfaux, $130.

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Pin-Up Playing Cards

From romantictreasures, $8.

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St. Paul, Minnesota

Custom Recycled Wood Sign

By WilliamDohman, $42.

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Vintage 1960s Leather Jacket

From JPsuniqueboutique, $40.

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Handmade Feather Headband

By bethanylorelle, $25.

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Girl on a Tree Swing - Wire Sculpture

By sparkflight, $525.

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Stockholm, Sweden

Pick Up-line Bracelet with Silver Clasp

By Bijoudesign, $32.

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Vintage Oversized Nautical Top

From Ciamant, $5.

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Bow Necklace

By LullLull, $25.

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The Puff Shrug - Long Sleeve

By aCatsNest, $62.

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Tokyo, Japan

Vintage Hippo Wrap Skirt

From sexiestgreen, $56.

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Giraffe necklace (brass)

By strangegarden, $26.

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Red Piranha Koi

By Monsterosity, $23.

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Nest Wrapped Silver Ring - Any Size

By bikudesigns, $38.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | More Shop Local Posts | Shop Local Feature | Gift Ideas

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Guest Curators: Super Cute Kawaii

2009-04-01T14:33:00-05:00

Super Cute Kawaii is a blog of daily cute picks, featuring the most kawaii products in Japan, as well as the cute handmade things they inspire. Marceline (aka askingfortrouble the bunny) and Claire (aka misofunky the panda) dreamed up the idea when they worked together at a boring internet company in Glasgow, Scotland, but finally got going after a frenzied kawaii shopping holiday together in Bangkok.

We love everything cute at Super Cute Kawaii, but we're slightly biased towards that particular brand of kawaii inspired by the Japanese. We've picked some of our favourite super cute and kawaii things on Etsy to share with you.

caterpillar

Japan has given us many wonders, but amigurumi toys must be one of the greatest. berrysprite's cute creations always make me squeal, and I'm especially fond of this caterpillar, as insects don't get that much kawaii love. By berrysprite, $12.

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small bunny vase

I love bunnies (of course), and this ceramic bunny vase by prettyrandomobjects is an adorable way to display my flowers. I say that with confidence, as I'm lucky enough to own one! By prettyrandomobjects, $48.

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My Cardboard Life Volumes 1, 2 and 3

Zines are possibly my favourite things in the world. There's one for every subject under the sun and I love looking back through my collection. Zines can be cute too, like My Cardboard Life, a hilarious set of comic strips. By thejuzzard, $13.

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A Little Change Gocco Mini Print

Having studied printmaking, I was delighted to discover the Print Gocco. It's very easy to fall under the spell of this clever Japanese printing machine. There are many, many talented gocco artists on Etsy, but my absolute favourite is ArgyleWhale, whose mix of the cute and the absurd never fails to tickle me. By ArgyleWhale, $8.

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The Legend - Set of Two Prints

My own interest in Japan stemmed from video games, and my love for Nintendo is still very strong. I adore these Legend of Zelda-inspired prints. The artist has somehow managed to make Link even cuter than in his Wind Waker adventures. By cyberhadji, $21.

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TECIDO FLORESTA VERDE - FABRIC GREEN FOREST - 40 x 78cm

Last time I visited Tokyo, I came home with armloads of kawaii fabric featuring every cute character imaginable. For a more personal touch, I also love hand printed fabric. MJkido's fabric designs are all lovely, but the forest print is super cute too. By MJkido, $13.50.

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Sid the Dancing Cat

The Super Cute Kawaii team is happily based in Glasgow, where we're just two of the many cute and crafty folks in town. Covetables is one of the cutest, and her plush toys are always a happy sight at the local craft fairs. By Covetables, $20.

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Claire's picks:

Oval Fame Deer Silk Screened Wall Art

MagicalPonyFarm have got it all: bright colours, cute designs and a great variety of animals in various kawaii poses. This little framed deer would look sweet on the wall of my panda enclosure! By MagicalPonyFarm, $18.

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Miss Coconut Bun

It's tough to narrow down my favourite type of kawaii, but food with faces is definitely in the top three. It's a regular feature over at Super Cute Kawaii from all of us. Cutesypoo is one of the best purveyors of this style of cute, and these coconut buns are a fine example of the neat work that Jocelan produces. By Cutesypoo, $20.

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Both Of Us

Art for the walls of my enclosure tops my list of home improvements right now. I've been coveting this print by Laura George for a while. The little creatures are not only cute, but they really evoke a peaceful feeling just looking at them. Just the thing for a busy panda! By laurageorge, $20.

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cloud - pocket mirror

OK, so it's not just food with faces — pretty much any inanimate object with a face does it for us. inkjet's little mirrors allow you to take the kawaii with you anywhere you go! I also love the coasters, especially the cafe latte ones. By inkjet, $5.

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Tea Ceremony - Original Painting 5x5

botodesigns is one of my favourite Etsy sellers, and it is really hard to narrow it down to one piece that I find the cutest. Robots are another one of my top kawaii picks, so this geisha and robot painting is perfect for me. Chen's Etsy shop is stuffed to the gills with cute art. By botodesigns, $80.

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Nights At The Circus - Charles

loulouandoscar's Nights At The Circus is so sweet it makes me want to weep, just a little! Charlie the cat is an owl tamer, and also the owner of possibly the finest embroidered mustache ever. He's a perfect gift for yourself or a special person. By loulouandoscar, $27.

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Little Tooth Pin Badge

It's always great to find a super-kawaii item on Etsy and then find that they're quite local to you. ladysnail has a really cute style to her illustrations-turned-brooches, like these teeth (not to mention at such a great price). They are irresistible. By ladysnail, $1.50.

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Thanks so much for letting us share our favourites - we post our cute finds daily on Super Cute Kawaii, so come by and say hello.

More Cuteness!
Japan Craft Journal
Kawaii Not
Tokyo Shopping Guide for crafts and kawaii

Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.

How-Tuesday: Zakka Pincushion Tutorial

2009-03-10T16:34:00-05:00

Download the complete project instructions here, or follow along below, courtesy of Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey and Chika Mori.

Pretty wrist pincushions are the perfect accessory for sewing—the pins are always where you need them. This one looks like a flower corsage that you might have worn to your high school prom. To change the size of the band, measure your wrist and add 1" plus an additional 1/2" for seam allowances; this becomes your strap measurement. All the other measurements and directions remain the same.

Flower Corsage Pincushion

Materials

Scrap of linen, 6" x 8 1/2"
Scrap of eyelet cotton, 4" square
Scrap of printed cotton, 4 1/2" square
Scrap of tan wool felt, 1 1/2" diameter circle
Plastic from gallon milk container, cut to 1 3/8" diameter circle (for pincushion liner)
All-purpose thread to match fabrics
1" length of 5/8"-wide Velcro Fiberfill
Flower pattern (shown below)

Preparing the Fabric

Cut using pattern
Cotton: 1 large flower
Eyelet cotton: 1 small flower

Cut freehand
Linen: 1 circle, 1 1/2" in diameter
1 rectangle, 2 1/2" x 8 1/4"
Wool felt: 1 circle, 1 1/2" in diameter
Plastic: 1 circle, 1 3/8" in diameter

Seam allowance: 1/4"

Zakka Fact:
With so many people crafting and sewing, making a pincushion is a way to demonstrate a personal style
with a practical object. Tons of made-in-Japan pincushions were imported to the United States in the
1940s – 1960s, including the ever-popular tomato.

Making the Pincushion

1. Make Flower
Edge-stitch around the petals of both flowers, to deter fraying. (Drawing A)

Layer the flower pieces, right side up, from the bottom up as follows: large flower, small flower, and linen circle. (Drawing B). Adjust the two flowers so that their petals are "staggered" (Drawing C), center the linen circle three times, sewing through all three layers. Set the flower aside.

2. Make Strap
Fold the linen rectangle in half lengthwise and press it. Then turn under the rectangle's three sides with raw edges in place. Edge-stitch around all four sides.

Stitch the Velcro's loop side on one end of the strap and its hook side on the underside of the strap's other end (Drawing D).

3. Put it All Together
Stack and pin the layers from the bottom up as follows: wool felt circle, plastic circle, strap, and flower (Drawing D). Blanket-stitch the wool felt to the flower, leaving a 1" opening.

Stuff the circle with fiberfill, placing it between the plastic and strap. Hand-sew the opening closed.

Note: The fabric flowers' edges tend to fray: if you want a more finished look, use felt or Ultrasuede.

Thanks to Therese Laskey, Chika Mori and the folks at Stewart, Tabori & Chang for sharing this project. Check out zakkahome.com for more information about the book.

More project downloads are available here! Check out all the How-Tuesday content!

Etsy World Tour: Seijin-shiki, Japanese Coming of Age Day

2009-01-12T10:51:00-05:00

Happy Seijin-shiki! Today is Japanese Coming-of-Age Day. Each year, Seijin-shiki is held in the morning on the second Monday in January. The local Japanese city and prefect offices invite all those who will reach twenty years old during the current school year to celebrate their passage into adulthood. They give speeches, throw a party, and sometimes give small presents. After attending the ceremony, these young adults usually gather in groups and go to parties or go out drinking to celebrate the passage into adulthood.

Here's a photo of me during my Seijin-shiki.

The present day Seijin-Shiki has its roots in “Seinen Matsuri”, the youth festival held in Saitama prefecture. It was first practiced post World War II to encourage young people to have hope for bright futures despite the shrinking feeling and depression after the loss of the war. The Japanese government was inspired by this festival and appointed January 15th (the past official day of Seijin-Shiki) as a holiday celebrating young adults and their willingness to persevere.

Today, in the city on the day of Seijin-Shiki, you see many women wearing long sleeve Kimono called “Furi-sode”, meaning swinging sleeves. Men wear Mon-tuki Hakama, the Kimono of his family crest, and Hakama worn over Kimono, which is tied at the waist and falls to the ankles.

Some of them inherit the Kimonos from their parents or grandparents, but the majority rent full sets of formal Kimono for this ceremony since it is costly to purchase one. Only some of them or their parents are capable of dressing in Kimonos due to the intricacies involved in putting one on, so most go to beauty salons to get their hair set and to be dressed properly in Kimono.

This Kimono video features the Furisode (long sleeve) Kimono for Seijin-shiki.

Today I'm making the traditional ornamental hairpin called Tsumami Kanzashi for Seijin-shiki, such as this Cherry Blossoms Ornamental Hairpin at the right.

The history of Kanzashi (ornamental hairpin) goes back 3000 years in Japan. In the prehistorical Joumon era (approximately. 1000 B.C. to 300 A.D.) it was believed that a supernatural power inhabited this thin stick. People wore it as a charm against evil and this became the beginning of Kanzashi.

[photo by d'n'c from flickr]

Further Resources:
In this video, I fold pre-made Obi sash for Seijin-shiki.
In this video, I dress myself in Seijin-shiki kimono and tie pre-made Obi sash.

Want more related posts?

Etsy World Tour | AtelierKanawa's posts

Recycled Glove How-to: Make a Chipmunk Softie

2008-10-17T15:34:00-05:00

Gloves (like socks), while born to be part of a pair, often end their days in lonely solitude, separated from their mates by the forces of the universe that conspire at every turn to pull them apart. Alone, they sadly serve little purpose (aside from the occasional show biz appearance for only the most sparkling among them), and are left to languish in the backs of a drawers and bottoms of closets — that is, if they're not disposed of all together. Ah... but it's a new day.

With her book, Happy Gloves: Charming Softy Friends Made from Colorful Gloves, she's given hopelessly single gloves a new lease on life as cozy companions. In her able hands, one glove's worth of material becomes an elephant, a penguin, a donkey, a bunny — you name it — all set free to romp and play together. (Can't you just hear the claps of cheer?)

Crafter and author Miyako Kanamori has a plan and she's ready to share it!

Try your hands at this chipmunk to start your very own menagerie of recycled glove critters. Download complete instructions here or follow along below.

BUY the book at Amazon!

Thanks to the Penguin Group for sharing this project from Happy Gloves.

Author Miyako Kanamori is a crafter who lives in Tokyo. She is also the author of Sock and Glove. You can see more of her work at her website: bananawani.org/nuiguroom.

For more cute critters made from recycled materials, search "Recycled Softie". Some examples plus a few other autumn-inspired creations can be seen in the related items below.

Trends: Gothic Lolita

2008-10-01T17:08:00-05:00

The Gothic Lolita trend has crossed over from Japan's Harajuku district to America's city streets, with many varied styles and subgenres resulting as variations on the theme.

According to a recent New York Times article on Gothic Lolita culture, "Theirs is a world in which the childhood fantasy of Alice in Wonderland seems to collide full force with the Addams Family. Its myriad influences include Victorian children’s wear, the French Rococo period, goth-inspired darkness and Japanese anime...The style, which emerged from the Japanese street fashion scene in the 1990s, has many incarnations and subsects, among them Elegant Gothic Lolitas, Erotic Lolitas, Gory Lolitas, Sweet Lolitas and White Lolitas. While some practitioners veer toward the goth influence with inky black garb, others emphasize what they describe as 'cuteness' expressed through pastel colors and pretty bows."

The article also stresses how many of the fashions favored by Lolitas are constructed by independent artisans, as the subculture still exists as such a niche market. (With many turning to Etsy for up and coming styles!)

[Photo by Cria-cow on Flickr] [Photo by Alain Christian on Flickr]

This collection of Gothic Lolita inspired clothing and accessories is for your viewing pleasure. Whether you're a petticoat-wearing member of the Gothic Lolita gang or simply a voyeur to their magnificent fashion, these items are for you!

Fashion | Trends | Search for Items Tagged "Gothic Lolita"

Etsy World Tour: Paper Dolls in Japan

2008-08-15T15:11:00-05:00

I met Chisako Higashiya, aka Japanesepaperdoll, at a Thanksgiving dinner she hosted during my first year living in Japan. As far as I know, she was the only person in the area with an oven big enough to cook a turkey—and a heart big enough to invite thirty foreign teachers into her home to celebrate a North American holiday. But this generosity should come as no surprise to the hundreds of students who have worked with her over the years. They know Chisako has spent nearly a decade teaching classes in English on how to make washi ningyo, elaborate dolls constructed entirely out of handmade Japanese paper, giving foreigners living in Japan the rare opportunity to learn this traditional Japanese craft.

[Chisako, teaching a class in her studio]

Chisako's interest in sharing Japanese culture began even before she knew how to make paper dolls, back when she was a music teacher in Seki, a small city in central Japan. She was teaching a student from the United States, a man who spent part of his lessons asking questions about Japanese culture. "I understood what it was like to see Japanese culture through a foreigner's eyes then," she says. He was interested and wanted to learn more, but classes in traditional Japanese crafts like ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and shodo (calligraphy) were expensive and typically taught entirely in Japanese. Chisako wanted to help, but at the time, music was the only subject she was qualified to teach.

[Washi ningyo on display in Chisako's studio]

That changed a few years later when she saw a handmade washi ningyo at a friend's house. "I saw the doll and I thought, 'I want to make that,'" she says. After apprenticing with an elderly paper doll teacher, Chisako passed the test to become a certified washi ningyo teacher and set up a small doll studio in the attic of her house. Remembering her conversations with the American student, she decided to teach her classes in English and charge only a nominal fee, giving interested foreigners the chance to learn a traditional Japanese craft.

[A doll I made in Chisako's class]

I had the same reaction as Chisako the first time I saw a doll made by one of her students: "I want to make that." Washi ningyo (washi is handmade Japanese paper, "ningyo" means "doll") are beautiful and a little eerie: faceless, three-dimensional dolls wearing ornate kimonos and upswept hairstyles, often fashioned after geishas, historical figures or characters from kabuki theater. Once known as anesama ningyo ("big sister dolls") because they were usually made by the eldest sister in the family, dolls of this type have been made by women in Japan for hundreds of years, but are not seen very often these days.

[Washi at a store in Mino, Japan]

The paper is what defines each doll; it can be bright and crisp or muted and soft as cotton, shimmering or rough. Chisako buys the washi for her dolls at big paper shops in Nagoya and Tokyo, but she also finds it in nearby Mino, a rural town known since the eighth century for its paper-making, a place where you can still spot people bleaching mulberry fibers by hand in the cold river. For several years, she and some students even constructed doll-adorned paper lanterns to enter in Mino's annual washi lantern festival.

[Doll lantern made by Chisako and her students]

In addition to a kimono and obi, each doll has its own special under robe, accessories and hair adornments, so Chisako spends her weekdays cutting paper to size in preparation for the weekend classes, usually for about three hours a day and sometimes up to six. Students range from absolute craft beginners to washi ningyo masters, so she offers two different dolls each month—one simple enough to be completed by a novice in a few hours, the other challenging enough to keep a pro busy for up to two days. (She keeps a guest bedroom at the ready for these dedicated students.)

Flat Maiko Doll eBook by Japanesepaperdoll.

After starting a Yahoo group to keep her students posted on class schedules, Chisako began receiving emails from crafters around the world asking for instructions for making washi ningyo. "I am in Japan, they are in Canada—I didn't know what to do!" she says. Then a friend suggested she write an instructional e-book, which she could sell along with doll-making kits. So she wrote one e-book, then another, and now has buyers throughout Asia and North America.

[Chisako at a local exhibition of her dolls]

For Chisako, who has not traveled much outside Japan, it's exhilarating to think about how many of her dolls are out in the world. Whether sent home as gifts or carried back in students' suitcases, washi ningyo made in her classroom have been globe-trotting for years. "It makes me happy to know my dolls are traveling," she says. Through the pictures and updates she receives from former students, she gets to see the world—with washi ningyo as her ambassadors.

To read more posts in the Etsy World Tour series, click here.

Gotta Travel On: Self-Portrait of a Londoner

2008-06-18T12:19:00-05:00

Kyoko aka watanwatan runs her Etsy Shop "Cotton & Cloud" out of her London home. She draws inspiration from the act of crafting and shares her skills on her blog, like this how-to make a neat round bottom for your sewing porject. Here's her story:

Cotton & Cloud is named after my two cats called Kumo and Wata meaning “cloud in the sky” and “cotton wool,” respectively in Japanese.

I was born and grew up in Tokyo. I came to the UK during my early teens and went to a boarding school in Cotswalds, in the beautiful English countryside. I then went to study pharmacy in Nottingham for my university degree. I always wanted to live in London so as soon as I graduated I moved here. I have been working as a pharmacist until 2006 then decided that I wanted to seriously spend more time making things, as I have always been creative. Strangely, knitting is really the main craft that I do. My nanny taught me how to do the basics when I was seven. Until then I was doing an imitation of knitting with chopsticks! I loved it so much and learned everything else (including sewing) from books. The rest is history.

The majority of my sewn bags and pouches are all designed for knitters on the move. They are influenced by how I could put my knitting, knitting needles or notions in it. For example, my pencil zipper pouches are designed so that you can put double-pointed knitting needles and crochet hooks as well as pencils and cosmetics.
My pouch with handles are primarily designed to carry sock knitting. I always take my knitting everywhere I go and I wanted something practical and pretty to neatly hold my sock yarn and half-knitted sock on a needle. Coincidentally, it turned out to be that many people liked the idea and it is now the best selling item on my Etsy shop. Currently I am designing a big posh market tote so that you can also put your knitting in the middle compartment.

Here's a knitting tutorial I posted on Youtube:

As I spent my childhood in Japan, I am naturally attracted to the country, especially now that I am living in London. So I can say that my main inspiration comes from Japan — both traditional and modern. Traditional Japanese crafts are just out of this world but modern creations are also amazing. The same is true for fabrics. I usually use Japanese fabrics for my bags and pouches because they are simply just so attractive and unique. I only use what I love.

My friends and family also inspire me. They are all supportive of what I do and always seem to know the answer to whatever I am stuck on at the time. I recently got engaged to my partner, Wesley. He is always interested in what I make and gives me advice from a busy, city worker’s point of view, as he works in the financial district. My pleated shoulder bag is the result of Wesley’s input. He thought having a small shoulder bag is useful for women who may want to make a quick trip to a shop during lunch breaks rather than carrying a large bag.

Living in London is wonderful. It is multicultural and there is always something to do. The best thing is the London markets (crafts, food etc.). My favourite is Borough Market in London Bridge, where you can get the best kinds of food. Some craft markets have such a high standard and it is just so inspirational to walk around and see what they do. I live in Greenwich, which is famous for Cutty Sark (a clipper ship) and the Royal Observatory. There is Greenwich Market where you can find all sorts of amazing crafts and food. London fashion is also great. If you go to a department store like Liberty you can find many fashion clothes and accessories from young British designers.

Until recently, I never thought to connect my interests in arts and crafts with England, where there are many artists and craftsmen. It was all serendipitous that I am now full-time knitting and sewing. It’s all meant to be. I am constantly inspired by whatever is there at the time in London. To quote Boswell's Life of Johnson, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford," and it will take a while for my craft life to get tired of it!

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Etsy World Tour

Ms. One Million: dorothywyn

2008-06-13T15:00:00-05:00

On June 10th, 2008, Etsy had its 1 millionth registration. Needless to say, this milestone has symbolic value to us and we're so excited about it! But it led admin and the community alike to wonder about the person behind that big, round number. Who is she?

We are happy to welcome dorothywyn to the Etsy community. She is a seller based in Hong Kong, and she makes cute, quilted cellphone coozies, as well as crocheted items.

dorothywyn initially found Etsy through a Google search, when she was looking for Japanese fabrics. In fact, if you search "Japanese fabrics" in quotes today, Tokyo-based supplies seller Matatabi.etsy.com comes up on the first page of results, a search engine optimization feat that makes Eric aka likeomg very, very happy. (Eric is our Etsy admin who works on SEO. Read more about SEO and Etsy here.)

When I asked her what drew her to Etsy, dorothywyn said that it's "a great place for handmade lovers. Interface is good and users friendly." Her favorite site feature so far is Time Machine. And perhaps most importantly, she seems excited to be part of a community that "encourages creativity and personal style." Here here!

And while dorothywyn is just one in a million registrations,* I think it's interesting to consider how her profile reflects what's going on at Etsy more generally. Etsy is attracting more and more international members like dorothywyn. We have begun thinking longer-term about how to create a truly international marketplace to serve makers and buyers. At some stage, we hope to call upon our "early-adopters” outside the U.S. for their input. If you have thoughts or ideas on internationalizing Etsy, please share them in the comments.

And, another aspect to consider: dorothywyn found Etsy through a search for supplies. (We have recently changed the way search works to make it easier to parse searches through the drop-down menu in Etsy's main navigation bar). The Supplies Category continues to be important to the growth of our marketplace. In this case, the supply was "Japanese fabric" — which I think points to the continuing cultural flow in our global marketplace. Increasingly, trends, fashion, and creative impulses do not heed national boundaries. This may have always been the case, but technology allows these global connections to be made very rapidly through grassroots, user-generated sharing of information and content.

Etsy is striving to bring more meaning to commerce by connecting makers and buyers globally. Thank you to dorothywyn and the other 999,999 other Etsy registrations for helping Etsy get closer to its vision.

*(That number includes multiple accounts from one member as well as accounts that may have been closed. In other words, members have gone completely through the registration process 1 million times.)

Please join us in giving our Ms. 1 Million a warm welcome in the comments below!

Japanese Origami Techniques with Atelier Kanawa

2008-03-11T11:30:00-05:00

Atelier Kanawa is a Japanese Etsy seller who specializes in creating traditional and modern Japanese pieces based on Kimono, Geisha/classical Japanese dance, Tsumami Kanzashi and Bingata/Katazome Kimono dyeing techniques. She is passionate about honoring and educating others about the traditional crafting techniques within her culture which have been passed down in her family over the course of many generations. In this article, she shares some of her knowledge about origami and she even made some videos showing us some of her techniques!

Origami
The word “Origami” is constructed of two words. “Ori” meaning “to fold,” and “Gami” meaning “paper.” Origami is a well-respected art form in which paper folding techniques are used to create animals, plants or daily tools.

In most cases, only one piece of square paper is used to fold Origami, but there are many more advanced techniques which require two or more sheets of paper and scissors. The most popular Japanese Origami pieces are the crane, balloon, airplane, Kabuto (armor), and Shuriken.

Chiyo-Gami
There are many different types of origami paper available today; one is "Chiyo (a very long period)-gami (paper)." Chiyo-gami paper was traditionally created by hand with the highest quality Japanese paper, and also hand dyed by woodblock print, one color at a time, just like Kimono fabric. It took several days to produce one paper and about five years to become a Chiyo-gami master.

Chiyo-gami was a luxury only enjoyed by members of the Imperial Palace or used for calligraphy by the Japanese upper class. Ordinary citizens were not able to afford Chiyo-gami until after the Edo period when Chiyo-gami spread from Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo). It began to be sold by artists who created colorful woodcut prints called Nishiki, who applied their more efficient printing techniques to create a more affordable Chiyo-gami.

Chouju Giga
Chouju Giga, the oldest Manga in Japan, is a national treasure scroll at the Kouzan-ji temple in Kyoto. The scroll consists of 4 volumes, Kou (甲), Otsu (乙), Hei (丙), and Chou (丁). Today, Kou (甲) and Hei (丙) can be found at the Tokyo national museum, while Otsu (乙) and Chou (丁) are displayed at the national museum in Koyoto.

Although unproven, it is said that Chouju Giga was painted by Tobasoujo-kakuyu (鳥羽僧正覚猷) as well as several unknown painters during the 12th to 13th century. It is thought that priests painted the heartwarming collective of sorrowful social conditions represented in the satiric caricatures of Chouju Giga. The most popular volume is Otsu (甲) which displays personification of rabbits, frogs, and monkeys.

VIDEOS:
How to fold Origami: Japanese crane

How to fold Origami : Toothpick Holder

How to fold Origami: Chopsticks Holder

How to fold Origami: Decorative Box

Chiyogami / Origami Creations by Atelier Kanawa

FURTHER RESOURCES:
Origami
The history of Origami in Japan
Chiyogami
Chouju Giga

Be sure to check out Atelier Kanawa's previous Storque article about other traditional Japanese crafts.

Electronic Press Kit

2007-10-02T15:12:00-05:00

We here at Etsy have decided to upgrade our bulky, paper-ridden press kit with a sleek new EPK, or Electronic Press Kit.

An EPK is a standard press kit in digital form. Instead of sending an environmentally inconsiderate stack of documents to our press and media contacts, the new EPK will consist of only one DVD, which can be reused or recycled in a number of ways.

Included on our EPK will be our press clippings, information about Etsy and its members, interviews and B-roll footage for television, and the Pièce de résistance, our beautiful new video about Etsy.

Last month, we teamed up with the talented people at Chop Wood Carry Water to help us make this tear-jerking look at Etsy. A special thanks to Etsy sellers kateblack, dewonapetal (yes, we are fixing the typo in her username that is in the video), kartdesign, our very own, reconstructionist, 1aeon, and sweetestpea (who will appear elsewhere in the EPK).

Without further ado, I present you with "Etsy: The Handmade’s Tale."

Traditional Japanese Crafts with Atelier Kanawa

2007-09-27T10:31:00-05:00

I run Atelier Kanawa (which means "studio to play Japanese harmony & peace") and I would love to share my stories of my ancestors who were in Kimono business and how I am trying to keep these traditions alive.

My great grandfather was an artisan who dyed Kimono designs, mainly Yukata, the Summer Kimono. My grandmother was a Kimono tailor, and both my mother and my aunt graduated from Kimono academy. My aunt has been teaching Kimono classes in Japan.

Since January in 2005, I have been studying Kimono and dressing with them myself. And since March 2006, I have been learning to dress other people. Currently, I am preparing to officially become a certified Kimono Consultant/adviser of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association through "Sodo" Kimono Academy, in October, 2007. I accomplished the beginner's level 1, level 2, and also the intermediate level. I am now in the advanced course. You can read the biography of my principal Mr. Norio Yamanaka (also an appointed chairman of the All Japan Kimono Consultants Association) has published a biography.

I also study how to dye Kimono designs by Bingata Katazome, which is the traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabric in Okinawa (southern part of Japan), using a resist paste applied through stencil. The term is comes from a combination of Kata (pattern or stencil), and Zome, from the verb Someru (to dye). Bingata Katazome deal with all natural ingredients for ink, brush, and fabric.

I am also pursuing classical Japanese dance by Hanayagi-style, which includes Geisha dance, Noh, and Kabuki.

Lastly, I passionately pursue Tsumami Kanzashi, a traditional Japanese long ornamental hairpin.

Today, there are ONLY 15 acknowledged Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in the whole world. Most of them don't have successors to carry out this beautiful traditional art, so it is RAPIDLY dying out. I was blessed to be accepted as a private pupil by one of them in this summer, even though my master does not train anybody anymore due to serious illness. That meant so much to me that my master passionately taught me everything, because he wants this authentic art to remain in this world. I can not even put in words how much I was honored to inherit my master's spirit.

Today, I deeply regard my ancestors who were in Kimono business. I passionately strive to pass this "disappearing culture" on to the next generation throughout the world. I will be very happy if you enjoy my authentic Japanese art work.

The first technique I'd like to describe is called Tsumami Kanzashi.

Tsumami (pinching) is the technique which to pinch/pick up a two dimensional piece of silk fabric to construct a three dimensional object. Tsumami consists of only two types of method called Maru-Tsumami (round pinching) and Ken-Tsumami (sword pinching).

Traditionally, we use Habutae silk in Japan to make Tsumami, but there is an artisan who uses Chirimen silk also. I use both of them and some other types of fabric and Vintage Kimono fabric.

Since the middle of Edo period (1603-1867), this handcraft technique has been traditionally utilized by maidservants in the imperial court as their hobby. Eventually, this beautiful technique was recognized by the Japanese society, and then it began to be used to produce Kanzashi hairpins, sticks, combs and so on. You can see Tsumami Kanzashi in Ukiyoe pictures. To give you some context: during that time period, Beethoven was quite active in music industry!

Today, not only Maiko (those young girls who are under the training to become Geisha) wear them, but they are worn by Japanese women for new year celebrations, celebrations for children called "Shichi-Go-San" (a coming-of-age ceremony), weddings, and by those people who perform traditional Japanese dance.

Tsumami Kanzashi is made to show mainly the beauty of four seasons. For example, Maiko wear plum flower in February, cherry blossom in April, and chrysanthemum in October.

Since there are ONLY 15 acknowledged artisans of Tsumami Kanzashi the whole world today and they don't really have any successors, it means a lot to me to be sharing this information with you. You can see the process I use to make my items in the videos I've made below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

FURTHER RESOURCES:

See an interview with me about my story and work.

See a video slideshow of my work here.

Tsumami Kanzashi Museum

Edo Tsumami Kanzashi documentary video

Atelier Kanawa's Youtube page

ABOUT HABUTAE (羽二重)SILK

This is the plain woven silk textile of authentic Japanese vintage Kimono. Habutae silk has a very smooth textures as soft, light and shiny, so they are used as Kimono linings. In Japan, we say "the best silk starts with Habutae and also ends with Habutae." Habutae silk proudly represents Japan.

ABOUT CHIRIMEN (縮緬) SILK

Chirimen silk crepe became popular from 17th to 18th century in Japan. Its distinctive technique involves twisting the threads during weaving. It has a slightly textured surface, so it is heavier and stronger than an ordinary plain weave.