Vintage kimono bag with NZ leather

Today was the deadline for "Cherish 2010" Artisan(Craft Queensland) Christmas showcase. So I dropped the 10 vintage kimono bags off to the Craft Queensland after finished my work.

This year, I bought the industrial machine for using the leathers for my vintage kimono world.

I wannted to make the practical bags...I always worried about the life of the vintage kimono bag.

The fine leather's life is very long. On the other hand, the vintage kimono has very short life.

However, such as the sash in the above picture, there are strong enough to combine with leathers.

What I found through the leather work, The kimono and sash's patterns are matched with leather.

My meaning is that Vintage kimono has strong enough uniqueness which is matched with leather!

Can you understand what I want to say?

Japanese green tea - Brisbane, Aya green tea

I am promoting the fresh Japanese Green tea at my shop, Paddington, Brisbane.

The teas come from Shizuoka directly through "Aya Green tea". Her parents run tea company in Japan and contribute the tea promotion as a director of the Shizuoka tea association.

We Japanese have the 2 main streams for the tea. One is "Shizuoka", the place is the famous for Sencha. The other is "Uji"(the urban city of Kyoto) for Matcha.

What is the different between Sencha and Matcha?

Matcha is a city girl(the tea plants are covered by shade), Sencha is a wild country girl(no covered by shade)!!

I will show you the Japanese green tea leaves. The further more info(the nutrition and how to brew tea etc), please have a look "Aya Green tea"website or come in Kazuyo's collection!

The above is the Sencha(Japanese green tea). As you know the most famous tea contained a lot's of vitamin C and antioxidant effect.

The next is "Genmai tea" which is mixed the Matcha powder and the popped rice. The Genmai tea is very popular at my shop, also for the Western people.

The following is the Aya's green tea's special blend for Australian!! Taste is totally diffrent with the traditional Japanese tea. For the Japanese tea biginners, please try them!

No strange unique smell and taste.

Rasberry and Hojicha(Brown tea)

Peach and Sencha


We also have "Matcha powder" and "Sencha Powder". These are good for cooking such as the ice cream or the green tea cake!! The recipe is easy to search on Internet.

Enjoy Japanese tea!!!!

Wool Felt Necklace - Marimo at Kazuyo's collection

Finally, The work has come to my shop! The Marimo means a green alga (belonging to the genus Cladophora) in Japanese. I stock not only green also red, pink...Many different colour's Marimo in store. Her work is so Dynamic as Japanese artisan, but also focus on the details such as the beads works on the felts.

Vintage kimono bag with Shibori kimono

Hi, A couple of Shibori bags and Tomesode bag here.

• The pine leaves with pink bag: made of Vintage kimono Jacket(HAORI)(1950's)
  


• The purple bag: made of Vintage kimono(1920's)



• Tomesode bag: made of a tomesode(Formal kimono)(1980's)

The shape of These bags has been popular in my work.

The reason is maybe..

• tied style - bonbon(balls) is made with the traditional style



• the 2 way - When untied, you can use as a TOTO bag(please look at a picture!)

Vintage kimono picture framed with Vintage timber from Grace Brothers department

Hi, the picture is "the vintage wedding gown framed with the vintage timber".

I really wanna show the detail of timber and textile, but very sorry, the quality of picture is not enough to show it.


The timber is NZ Kauri pine tree which was used at the lobby of a lift in Broadway, Grace Brothers department store, Sydney.

A builder, my friend holds the timber and I asked to frame the gown.

It is a vintage collaboration between Japanese and Australian materials.

Both age is about the 100 years old.

Now the materials have revived as a picture.

Now, the picture displays at the window of Kazuyo's collection at Paddington, if you are Brisbane people, Please have a look the real one!!

About Grace Bros, a nice article and pictures, here , in the web of Historic Houses Trust.


http://www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/online_exhibitions/sydneys_home_furnishing_stores,_1890-1960/grace_bros_

Kimono Museum in Fukusima & Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto

Hi, If you have a plan to visit in Japan now, you might be able to enjoy Autumn leaves and there are many events going on !

Here are a couple of information

Jidai-matsuri　22 Oct, Kyoto - The event is the one of very traditional event since 1895. For the detail is info, Please look at the website!

For kimono lovers

• Try to wear kimono and walk around Kyoto! "Kyoto kimono station" at Kyoto station has a rental kimono place with reasonable price, The photo service is also available.
• Kimono Museum(日本きもの文化美術館）Please have a look the following web(http://nmkb.jp/index.php/museum/ )!
  Unfortunately no English site, but the museum displays kimonos(Edo to Showa era). Tohoku area is also beautiful place for Autumn leaves. If you visit in Fukushima, It will be a nice experience for the vintage kimono world!
  

How many plants and traditional patterns can you see in the above picture?

This is the "TOMESODE" formal lady's kimono(The dress code of Japanese lady!) for married persons.

The main feature are; there are 5 family crests on the back, 2 sleeves and 2 chests / The pattern on the hem(bottom) of kimono / short sleeves

Dear Vintage Kimono lovers in the world

Hi, I am 100% a dinosaur about this web world.

So I have not known how I can efficiently share the vintage kimono world yet.

Communication should be more than TWO WAY...

People advised to me "facebook" ...

At this stage, I have just found the tab"Stats" who are the audience of my blog.The reality was more than my prediction.

I am very surprised about "where is the audience from".

Australian is less than 40%,

USA 30%

England 15%

Others(Canada, Japan, India etc)

What I wanna ask you is;

please let me know your favourite vintage kimono's blog or website, also physical space.

Of course all about Japanese art and craft, traveling information are welcomed.

I will put on my blog as the linking site.

Please leave your message on this article, or send your email to ; Kaz kimonofrog@yahoo.co.jp

I have also put in "follow" tab on my blog now.

If you are a follower, please join in!

Brisbane style - how to wear kimono

-- Continuing from the last article--

At my shop, Customers buy kimonos as the following purpose.

• Full length kimono(Homongi, Tomesode, furisode etc) -As a morning gown, but mostly for hanging on wall
• Summer kimono ; As a sleeping gown / Original use as Yukata
• Kimono Jacket(Haori) - As a party gown with tights, simple dress / casual wear with jeans
• Kimono coat(Michi-yuki-gi) - As a party gown / As a top with loose belt

The picture is the one of my customer who wore the Kanoko-shibori's Haori(kimono jacket) with Han-obi(A half wide size of sash) herself.

Generally Haori is popular for my customer as a party gown. Otherwise enjoy with a textile string.

She asked me how to tie the sash and we tried a couple of times. she already got before the purchase. So quick learner!! She promised me to send a her "kimono debut" picture soon. As soon as I got, I will show you!

Hope she enjoy and learn more about "how to tie Obi" through maybe You-tube???

At the moment, kimono price as same as Japanese vintage(second-hand)market price.

Through my custmers, I am very intersting to introduce kimono cultuer in the daily life of Brisbane's people.

Used Kimono Jacket available from $30 / Kimono available from $80 at Kazuyo's collection

Boy's kimono "Jimbei" with a traditional Japanese pattern such as Kamon

Recently, I have many chance to learn about kimono from Brisbane's kimono lover. next two times, I will talk about the kimono stories which were happened today, at my shop(Kazuyo's collection), Paddington.

The first story is about the boy's kimono"Jimbei". Generally Jimbei is made of fine cotton and a set of kimono jacket & a pair of short pants.

Since I opened shop, I have made a couple of kid's kimono jackets for my customer's children.

This time, the customer is interested in "Multicultural" (not only as a fashion).

I straightly picked the traditional pattern as his fabric.

The kimono pattern is called "Kasane-hishi(looks like chains of diamond shaped!!)"

As your image, the meaning is "Linking"(continuing forever!) ,"keep your happiness, joys".

Kasane-hishi was also popular as Kamon(Family crests).

If very interesting, please visit the web Kimono-Hudoki. The website is written by Japanese, but very good contents and well-knowledge about kimono, kamon, Japanese textiles etc.

Hope you can use your translation function on your PC!

Current artisan - Kazuyo's collection Paddington

Hi, I have not introduced the great craft people in my shop yet. Today, I am introducing my accompanies.

Japanese painting（日本画） - Yoko Murakami Brisbane
Calligraphy（書道） - Yumi Brisbane
linocut - Francis Brisbane, Raquel Brisbane
Woodblock print - Nagao gallery Asakusa Tokyo

Kimono bear - Haruko Brisbane
Japanese contemporary textile craft(purse etc)- Double happiness(Keiko Brisbane)
Textile corsage - Atelier Apple
Newspaper brooch - Keiko's mother Japan
cloisonne(七宝焼）- Haruko's mother Japan

Sashiko picture, kimono craft works - Takako

Jewellery - Uminico(Yumiko Nii Tokyo), Marimo(Keiko Brisbane), Jenny Brisbane,
Kimono Jewellery - Kimono reincarnate (Melanie) Brisbane

And Green tea - Aya Green Tea (Aya Brisbane), Aya's family tea company, Shizuoka Japan

Special contributor(Volunteer staff!!) - Japanese vintage kimono, ceramic ware buyer - My parents

At last I am still loving vintage kimono recycle work as a vintage kimono bag maker!!

Next week also coming new works such as the lovely Wool felt chokers, earrings(Marimo, Keiko), Kimono picture with the beautiful vintage timber framing(Bloc Daryl O'Brien)

A tiny shop(workshop), but many unique artisan's work at Kazuyo's collection, Paddington QLD.
I appreciate very much for the past and current accompanies. Arigato!!! And please keep watching our works too!

Volunteer kimono buyer - My parents

New artisan Marimo(Keiko)

please don't miss her new work- the wool felt chokers are so gorgeous, so a couple of paddington's popular shop owners asked her where she got from!

Kokeshi's face and Great birthday handmade present to grandfather - paintTshirt!

Hi, Please have a look the picture, these are simple art & craft.

My daughter has just drawn Tshirt for my dad. It's very easy but must be a special item for grandfather!! Also from baby to school students, everybody can be enjoying the Tshirt paint and grandfather must be 100% happy too! Any craft shop sell the permanent ink for fabrics.

She has also drawn A kokeshi doll on a small canvas, which is for my mother.

I feel, here, KOKESHI doll is very popular at Brisbane, Australia through the product"Kimmidoll"

That's why? her drawing doll is not like Japanese traditional Kokeshi, it's Kimmidoll!!!

Kokeshi doll is originally popular at TOHOKU area(Aomori, Yamagata, Miyagi) in Japan as a traditional hand craft. My parents are the kokeshi collector when they travel Tohoku on autumn

Have a look a traditional kokeshi face and compare to Kimmidoll.

What do you feel???

Sashiko pictures arrived - Paddington, Brisbane!!!

What's a beautiful works by Takako. She made the patterns and stitched with Sashiko way!!!

I am proud of her works here in Brisbane!!! Please have a look the real picture at my shop.

Recently, I have many chances to see many talented Japanese and OZ artisans. ARIGATO!!

Kazuyo's collection - vinatge kimono sash

Hi, this time, I introduce my work. The picture shows the 3 vintage kimono sashes which has a long history. The sash is over 100 years, such as your great grand mother.

The first stage was a wedding gown. a long time ago, it was so expensive to have silk textiles for the Japanese general people . So, after wedding ceremony, general people remade the gown to kimono sash and used the sash for a whole life at special occasion.

I like very much about these recycle culture. That's a reason why I am making vintage kimono bag and other crafts with vintage kimono. we can use the old kimono as the vintage kimono bags at the 21st century!!

Daruma spirit

Hi, I am talking a bit about my life. It has been Daruma's feeling!

Daruma has been a symbolic of optimism persistence, strong determination and good luck!!

Most daruma's eyes are blanks. When a person sets up a specific goal, filling the one eye in with black ink. After achieved the goal, fill the other eye in.


We Japanese has an old proverb "七転八起（nana-korobi ya-oki)".
The meaning is "Life has its ups and downs, please do not be so depressed!"

I have been learning such a Japanese spirit through Brisbane's life. So I painted the daruma picture which is myself(up and down!!)!! "Life is fun, so ups and downs, do our best and enjoy as much as we can!!!

Kimono flower brooch and Woodblock print on line shopping

Hi, Spring has come in Brisbane!

Japanese says "SANKAN SHION（三寒四温）", three cold days follows the four warm days and then SPRING has come!

I have been enjoying the flower brooch(technique is the Japanese tradition, but design has been changed by me to "Gold medal style!!!"

I have just told about the Japanese woodblock traditional printer, Mr Nagao's family a couple of times ago.

The followings are "on line shopping sites" of the Japanese traditional woodblock prints. Please explore on line!

www.adachi-hanga.com/en_ukiyo-e/gallery.htm

www.rakuten.co.jp/rokka-an

Tunic with Oshima tsumugi by Takako

Hi, today Takako's new work have arrived in my shop here, Brisbane. She made with Oshima-tsumugi(http://www.amami.or.jp/english/tumugi.html).

Please visit the web. You will know how Oshima-tsumugi is made with traditional tequnique and what's a beautiful and practical traditional textile it is!

Currently 4 different pattern's tunic available at Kazuyo's collection.

Woodblock print master - Mr.Naotaro Nagao

Hi, I have just come back from Japan.
It was hot summer and enjoyed beach, fireworks and Beer & Edamame(steamed beans) very much.

When I am in Tokyo, I like to walk around downtown especially Asakusa-bashi, kuramae to Asakusa, Ueno.

There are still many traditional art&craft whole sellers.

I knew from magazines and news paper about Mr Nagao.
His family started wood block print since Edo period. At Edo period, wood block prints were cheap as same as a noodle. So it was the art for general people.

He reprints Hokusai, Utamaro, Yumeji through his whole life(more than 75 years). He often commented "Japanese should respect our traditional arts. Now his family start to take over his traditional technique.

I personally like his prints "Cat" series which were originally made by Hokusai. I bought a couple of Hokusai, Utamaro, Yumeji's prints. If you have chance to pop in Paddington, Brisbane. Please have a look the original his works at Kazuyo's collection(98 Latrobe tce Paddington)!
Even now the price is unbelievable reasonable too!

Baby kimono made by Tenugui(hand towel)

Hi, One of my customer asked me to make a baby kimono.

The picture's kimono was made by Tenugui(Hand towel).

It will be comfortable for the baby to wear!!(Because, TENUGUI is normally made by very fine 100% cotton)

In my shop, TENUGUI is a popular item for scarf, table centre, quilt works.

KAZUYO'S COLLECTION Tanabata - star festival -

Hi, today, 7th of July is "TANABATA -star festival".

The Milton state school invited me to have the Japanese tea ceremony and Tanabata festival" today.

I asked the kids "Who is the lady?".
The answers were funny, "Geisya girl!!"
I said the kids "We can not serve SAKE today, we will serve Japanese tea!"

Anyway, they enjoyed the Japanese tea ceremony with their interest and tasted the Japanese green tea and sweet(KONPEITOH).

After we had the TANABATA festival with Origami and wish card.
Thanks for inviting us in the kid's world!!

What's the TANABATA festival?
The festival originates from Chinese legend of the two bright stars, Altair and Vega. Vega(Orihime) was weaving lady and Altair(Hikoboshi), a cowherd boy. They loved each other. They had so much fun and stopped working hard. The king was upset and separated them by the Milky way. He allowed them to meet once a year across the Milky way on the 7th of July.

On the day, people decorate bamboo with paper strips and ornaments. It is believed that a wish comes true when you write your wish on the strip and hang it on the bamboo.

The Japanese art & craft, tea shop, Kazuyo's collection has the 1st anniversary sale on the 10th of July at 98 Latrobe tce Paddington!

vintage kimono bag with leather

I have just done my next goal how the vintage kimono revive as a long life!!

The vintage kimono has a history which somebody enjoyed "kimono life" and finally came out in the antique market". I have been making the vintage kimono bags for 5 years. But always worry about the bag's life. Especially, The corner of bottom of bags.

This year, I had a chance to get an industrial sewing machine. It's not for mass production, it's for the leather's work. As you feel that kimono and black is a matching colour, That means leather should be matching with vintage kimonos!! I really would like show the real these works.

If you live in around Brisbane, please have a look my new works. It will make you happy feeling for vintage kimonos.

Kazuyo's collection

98 Latrobe tce Paddington, Brisbane