Kiku Blogs
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
Yuzen is the art of painting on a kimono canvas.
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
|Susan Smythe
The Spirit of Mottainai
The Japanese word "mottainai" expresses awe and gratitude as well as admonishes wastefulness. Refashioning vintage clothes is within the spirit of mottainai
The Spirit of Mottainai
The Spirit of Mottainai
|Susu Smythe
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
The juni-hitoe is a ceremonial outfit worn by women of the Japanese imperial court on very special occasions, consisting of many, many layers of robes. It is an example of...
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
|Susu Smythe
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
The kosode (meaning small sleeves) was the predecessor of today's kimono. It was much more practical with narrow sash, shorter length and smaller sleeves.
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
|Susu Smythe
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
“Kiku” means chrysanthemum in Japanese, a flower that has a rich and important history in Japan. Many of the vintage silks that I sell have symbols of kiku woven, stenciled,...
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
|Susu Smythe
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
Meisen silk and the kimono made from it between 1910 and 1950 illustrate the intersection and interconnection of Japanese culture and Western culture, the influence of Japanese aesthetics on Western...
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
|Susu Smythe
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
Hedy Lamarr, the famous actress was also an inventor. In the hopes of contributing to the war efforts in the 1940's, she co-patented an idea for a radio controlled mechanism...
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
|Susu Smythe
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
Yuzen is the art of painting on a kimono canvas.
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
Yuzen The reason kimono are works of art
|Susan Smythe
The Spirit of Mottainai
The Japanese word "mottainai" expresses awe and gratitude as well as admonishes wastefulness. Refashioning vintage clothes is within the spirit of mottainai
The Spirit of Mottainai
The Spirit of Mottainai
|Susu Smythe
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
The juni-hitoe is a ceremonial outfit worn by women of the Japanese imperial court on very special occasions, consisting of many, many layers of robes. It is an example of...
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
Juni-hitoe 12 layers of trailing robes
|Susu Smythe
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
The kosode (meaning small sleeves) was the predecessor of today's kimono. It was much more practical with narrow sash, shorter length and smaller sleeves.
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
What is the story behind the iconic kimono sleeves?
|Susu Smythe
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
“Kiku” means chrysanthemum in Japanese, a flower that has a rich and important history in Japan. Many of the vintage silks that I sell have symbols of kiku woven, stenciled,...
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
WHAT DOES KIKU MEAN
|Susu Smythe
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
Meisen silk and the kimono made from it between 1910 and 1950 illustrate the intersection and interconnection of Japanese culture and Western culture, the influence of Japanese aesthetics on Western...
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
MEISEN SILK: the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures
|Susu Smythe
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
Hedy Lamarr, the famous actress was also an inventor. In the hopes of contributing to the war efforts in the 1940's, she co-patented an idea for a radio controlled mechanism...
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
Hedy Lamarr, Mother of WiFi
|Susu Smythe
More to read...
Why aren't sewing machines used to make Kimono?
Kimono are hand sewn and not machine sewn because hand sewn garments are easier to deconstruct. Washing a kimono involves taking it apart, sewing it back into the original bolt...
Why aren't sewing machines used to make Kimono?
Why aren't sewing machines used to make Kimono?
|Susu Smythe
Who was the first self-made woman millionaire in America?
Mary Ellen Pleasant (1814-1904) was the first self-made woman millionaire in America and the "mother of civil rights" in California.
Who was the first self-made woman millionaire in America?
Who was the first self-made woman millionaire in America?
|Susu Smythe
What is Japanese shibori
Shibori is an ancient Japanese process of decorating silk and cotton that involves tying, squeezing, stitching, pressing, and twisting fabric to create areas that dye cannot reach.
What is Japanese shibori
What is Japanese shibori
|Susan Smythe