Our products are created from upcycled Japanese Obi, Kimono and Obijime mixed with Japanese denim (which is the best in the world) canvas, cotton and silk to give them a modern twist.
The concept is to upcycle a traditional Japanese garment and its accessories which sadly in daily Japanese life is fading away. We use all the parts of the Obi and Kimono even the padding and lining. Therefore there is no waste so we also believe that we are contributing to a more Eco Friendly world.
In this article I would like to introduce the materials and accessories that we are using so that you can better understand what is behind our beautiful products. I hope you enjoy your read!
The Kimono
Japan has a very rich textiles history , with the kimono being a major focus of interest and artistic expression. Meaning “the thing worn” the term Kimono was first adopted in the mid-19th Century. From the 16th century Kimono became a principle item of dress for all classes and both sexes.
Kimono are simple, straight, seamed garments. They are worn wrapped left side over right and secured with a sash called Obi. The wrap style allows ease of movement for example it is easy to sit on the floor. It is also suited to Japans climate, with unlined kimono worn in the humid summers and multi-lined kimono worn in the winter. In kimono it is the pattern , rather than the cut of the garment that is significant. (I will go into this in more detail another time).
The Obi
The Obi (sash) is a belt tied around the waist of the Kimono to hold it in place. About 400 hundred years ago the Obi was just a thin string or cord it is said that the width became a little wider at the beginning of the Edo period (1600) and became as it is today in the middle of the Edo period (1700). The most common way to categorise them is into the following three groups: hanhaba, fukuro and Nagoya (I will go into more detail another time). The word for knot is musubi/musuba there are many different kinds of knots depending on the age of the lady, the occasion and the type of Obi (I will go into more detail another time).
The Obijime
The Obijime are used to keep the Obi from untying as well as accenting the Kimono style. They come in two basic types : stuffed cloth kukehimo and braided silk kumihimo-both are tubuar or flat. The round Obijime are more formal than flat cords. Plain, solid colours are more formal than patterned. The colour black is usually only limited to mourning.
Lets start at the beginning!
Our products are created from upcycled Japanese Obi, Kimono and Obijime mixed with Japanese denim (which is the best in the world) canvas, cotton and silk to give them a modern twist.
The concept is to upcycle a traditional Japanese garment and its accessories which sadly in daily Japanese life is fading away. We use all the parts of the Obi and Kimono even the padding and lining. Therefore there is no waste so we also believe that we are contributing to a more Eco Friendly world.
In this article I would like to introduce the materials and accessories that we are using so that you can better understand what is behind our beautiful products. I hope you enjoy your read!
The Kimono
Japan has a very rich textiles history , with the kimono being a major focus of interest and artistic expression. Meaning “the thing worn” the term Kimono was first adopted in the mid-19th Century. From the 16th century Kimono became a principle item of dress for all classes and both sexes.
Kimono are simple, straight, seamed garments. They are worn wrapped left side over right and secured with a sash called Obi. The wrap style allows ease of movement for example it is easy to sit on the floor. It is also suited to Japans climate, with unlined kimono worn in the humid summers and multi-lined kimono worn in the winter. In kimono it is the pattern , rather than the cut of the garment that is significant. (I will go into this in more detail another time).
The Obi
The Obi (sash) is a belt tied around the waist of the Kimono to hold it in place. About 400 hundred years ago the Obi was just a thin string or cord it is said that the width became a little wider at the beginning of the Edo period (1600) and became as it is today in the middle of the Edo period (1700). The most common way to categorise them is into the following three groups: hanhaba, fukuro and Nagoya (I will go into more detail another time). The word for knot is musubi/musuba there are many different kinds of knots depending on the age of the lady, the occasion and the type of Obi (I will go into more detail another time).
The Obijime
The Obijime are used to keep the Obi from untying as well as accenting the Kimono style. They come in two basic types : stuffed cloth kukehimo and braided silk kumihimo-both are tubuar or flat. The round Obijime are more formal than flat cords. Plain, solid colours are more formal than patterned. The colour black is usually only limited to mourning.