String Asian Art and Furniture

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, col...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics. [About this canvas] This set is a depiction of a tall chrysanthemum stem, entirely dyed in a traditional shibori technique. [Period / Story] The haori featured in this canvas was created and used during the late Showa period (1960-80ies). [Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors] A charming chrysanthemum flowers all around a stem seem to reach the heavens. The chrysanthemum flower, which retains its vitality long after being cut, symbolizes longevity, purification from malevolent spirits, and good fortune. In ancient times, during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), emperors loved the chrysanthemum pattern, and it remains the most prestigious flower and the emblem of the Japanese imperial family...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, c...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, ...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics. [Story behind the work] This work is inspired by traditional Japanese nature motifs symbolism, and is framed in paulownia wood originally used for a kimono chest-of-drawers. It is elegantly framed with paulownia wood originally used for kimono chest-of-drawers, and is filled with storytelling and sense of luxury. In this artwork, the aim was to capture the the auspicious symbol of camellia used in antique kimono. Traditional Japanese culture, represented by the kimono, and wood, an integral element of Japanese craftsmanship, were used to bring this vision to life. I used pieces of kimono that could no longer be used as clothing and kiritansu chest-of-drawers that would normally be discarded to create the ultimate upcycled piece. [Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors] This delicate piece features hand-drawn camellia motifs flowing gracefully on a softly brightened grayish background. Camellias, native to Japan, bloom from winter to early spring. As an evergreen tree with green leaves throughout the year, it symbolizes the anticipation of spring and is considered an auspicious plant. Due to its seasonal significance and auspicious meanings, camellias have been used as motifs symbolizing good fortune. Additionally, they were highly valued for their use in oil, cosmetics, and medicine, representing nobility. Believed to possess the power to ward off misfortune, camellias also carry the meaning of "protection from calamity" and have strong ties to traditional ceremonies. In this artwork, camellias are delicately depicted alongside flowing branches, subtly representing good fortune with their pale pink and white hues. "Sora-iro nezumi 空色鼠" refers to a light grayish color with a hint of blue, reminiscent of the slightly brightened sky on a lightly cloudy day. Popular during the late Edo period (19th cent.), it elegantly captures the slightly brighter sky pattern seen on lightly overcast days. Notably, the term "nezumi-iro" (mouse gray), popular during the late Edo period, was paired with brown tones, collectively known as "Forty-eight Teas and a Hundred Mice 四十八茶百鼠." Colors within the "nezumi" (gray) spectrum, particularly "sora-iro nezumi," were favored by young people for their cool and sophisticated appeal. [Characteristics of the fabric] The fabric features intricately woven patterns that reveal subtle gradations through dyeing, creating a grid pattern that transforms depending on the light conditions. Originally, this fabric was part of a formal kimono known as a "hōmongi 訪問着," featuring motifs along the hem, shoulders, and sleeves. These motifs have been carefully selected and combined to create a unified piece of artwork. [About the frame] Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono, is traditionally made from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, col...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage obi fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics. [Size] 73cm x 53cm x 5cm [Materials] silk (outside-layer) , wooden frame (under-layer), bark (pine, oak, sawtooth oak, etc.) [Story behind the work] This artwork creatively uses tree bark to evoke the imagery of woods and mountains during both the morning and nighttime on left and right. It is elegantly framed with paulownia wood, a tree closely connected to kimono culture, and is filled with storytelling and sense of luxury. By incorporating both the front and back sides of the same obi fabric woven in different colors, the play of light and shadow on the mountains is depicted through the contrasting appearances of these surfaces. The intention behind this piece is to convey the exquisite beauty of Japanese mountains and the lush forests that inhabit them. To achieve this, traditional elements of Japanese culture, such as obi textiles and craftsmanship involving wood, were used. The outer and inner linings of the same obi, no longer suitable for clothing, along with bark material that would normally be discarded, have been repurposed to create this exceptional upcycle artwork. The fusion of Japanese natural materials – silk, paulownia wood, and pine bark for the central decoration – along with the so-called "Tozan" pattern, a unique Japanese natural design showing mountains from far-away point, captures the magnificent beauty of Japanese nature from various perspectives. The central bark decoration stands out as a distinctive feature of this work. Pine, oak, and other tree barks are interwoven among the mountains woven into the obi, creating a tangible and authentic natural atmosphere. [Period / Story] The obi used in this piece was originally crafted during the late Showa period (1960-80ies). [Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors] This upcycle artwork uses an obi with a tozan pattern woven in two colors. The design is inspired by a distant mountain range, a motif that has been used in paintings and crafts since ancient times. However, in this particular design, the mountains are depicted not as distant peaks but as graceful semicircles giving it a mild atmosphere. [Characteristics of the fabric] This upcycled Fukuro-obi (two-side oni) showcases a festive color pattern of mountains intricately woven with gold threads against a beige front and red on the back. The way this obi interacts with light allows it to shift in expression, much like a mountain revealing different facets over time. It can transform from deep shades of color to the appearance of gold shimmering against bright hues, depending on the lighting and viewing angle. [About the frame] Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono, is traditionally made from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics. Fabrics featuring iconic Japanese plants like chrysanthemum, maple, and bamboo were gathered from various long underwear and kimono pieces to create a set of canvases (diameter 30, 25 and 20cm) showcasing exquisite gradations. The top canvas, in pristine white, originates from long under-kimono, while the middle and bottom canvases are skillfully upcycled from kimono fabrics. [Period / Story] The long under-kimono and kimono fabrics used in these canvases were originally crafted and worn during the late Showa period (1960-80ies). [Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors] The pattern on the top canvas features a chrysanthemum, an auspicious emblem symbolizing longevity. It is affectionately referred to as the "raccoon dog chrysanthemum" due to the large, overlapping petals resembling the fur of a muzina, a creature similar to a raccoon dog or badger. This motif is highly popular in various plant-inspired designs and frequently seen in Edo komon, katazome, and jimon textiles. The top canvas naga-juban under-kimono, being entirely white and devoid of any additional dyes, suggests its use as formal wear. Its pristine white hue accentuates the silk's luster when exposed to light and highlights the beauty of the woven patterns. The fabric used here is rinzu, a type of fabric thinner than crepe de chine, characterized by its soft, smooth texture and subtle sheen. This particular lintel distinguishes itself with the way its ground pattern emerges and also incorporates a woven chrysanthemum pattern. The central canvas showcases a maple tree, symbolizing longevity, which changes its colors with the seasons, bringing joy and happiness to people's lives. The bamboo featured on the lower canvas has been regarded as a symbol of good fortune since ancient times, given its straight and vigorous growth, along with the Chinese legend that a phoenix consumes its fruit. It embodies concepts such as "immortality," "longevity," and "strength" because it remains green even in winter. The hollow stem also signifies "innocence," suggesting that there are no hidden agendas. All three canvases are adorned with ground patterns that, when viewed from a distance, appear as modern works of art, yet upon closer inspection, they reveal a distinct Japanese ambiance. [Characteristics of the fabric] All three canvases are made of fabrics with jimon. The unique and high level of Japanese weaving...

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included. One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, ...