WabiSabiKimono

Welcome to WabiSabiKimono! Having lived in Tokyo, Japan for close to 10 years, and with a passion for beautiful textiles; discovering and learning about the Japanese kimono has been (and is) a great adventure. I offer vintage Japanese kimonos, handpicked from Japanese antique markets and from my favourite Japanese dealers. Having bought, over the years, many defect kimono and obi, just because I loved the fabric and/or pattern, I also create accessories, interior decoration items, and jewelry up-cycling vintage/antique Japanese fabrics (typically from these kimono/obi with defects).

“Wabisabi” is a Japanese expression for beauty as imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. “Wabi” - expresses the beauty of imperfection, and “Sabi” - the beauty/”patina” developing with age. Every kimono listed here is unique and vintage or antique. They are almost all hand-stitched, and some hand painted, for a special man or woman. Through their use, they have received imperfections, but also developed in beauty. This is what I like about old kimonos - they have their own personality and wabisabi.

My mission with this shop is to offer the beauty of the Japanese kimono to a Western audience and to encourage the use and enjoyment of kimono. I also like to bring attention to Japan's fantastic textile art, hoping that with increased awareness and appreciation we can also continue to support contemporary textile craftsmen/women, who are so important in securing that these old techniques are not forgotten.

A kimono jacket (haori) is great to wear with jeans, pants or skirt and wearing the long kimono as a robe at home makes anyone feel beautiful and special. Kimonos also make great interior decoration pieces, be it a kimono belt (obi) as a table runner or a handpainted kimono decorating a wall. Use your fantasy and I hope you enjoy my selection!