To start off the month of March, the Artisan Feature section has been launched. This section holds various interviews with kanzashi artists.
I am hoping that these interviews bring greater understanding towards the craft of kanzashi making, as well as an awareness of talented and inspired artists in the kanzashi & kimono community.
Every month, two kanzashi artists will be featured. Kanzashi Garden's very first interview was taken with the very nice Songbird. To see her feature, please follow the link to below:
http://www.kanzashigarden.com/Songbird.html
Look forward to many more interviews in the future!
March 2, 2008
February 25, 2008
Server Issues...
At the moment, the main site isn't up due to server issues. I am looking into getting that resolved, but for the moment, everything at kanzashigarden.com should be directing to this blog temporarily in a short while.
Thank you for your patience. Expect cool updates once things are running fluently :) .
Thank you for your patience. Expect cool updates once things are running fluently :) .
February 15, 2008
February Kanzashi Feature
This article (also in the Kanzashi Garden website) is the first in a series called kanzashi feature, which hopes to provide a more in detail look at the symbolism, style, colorings, and design of the kanzashi that are traditionally worn during that month - in this case, February. The month of February is much concerned with the subtle hints left of Winter as it is of the upcoming bursts of Spring. You will notice how many of the kanzashi seem to be stuck in a transition stage between the two seasons, much as the flowers they are meant to portray.
Plum Blossom (Ume)
During February as the snow and cold begins to fade you will notice flowers popping up to resist the cold. One of the flowers best known to do this is the Plum Blossom, known as Ume, in Japan. They are seen as symbols of persistence due to their ability to bloom and be beautiful against the harsh bleakness of Winter.
The strong colored petals representing purity and all that is good fighting against all odds and overcoming is seen as very iconic, as are the small buds opening up to symbolize young love and it's potential - making it a favorite flower and choice of kanzashi amongst many.
The plum blossom kanzashi itself is usually formed to look like the trailing deep pink and sometimes red ume blossoms that are beginning to bud and open in Japan at this time. You will see many variations and creative liberties taken with the colors of the ume, but it will always feature the double layered five petal "blueprint" as to imitate the look of it's true life counterpart.
The Ume kanzashi will often be seen as a single Ume flower on a branch with small buds and leaves beginning to sprout and grow again. It will also be seen as numerous little ume blossoms gathered together as a group accompanied by little buds and small leaves.
Daffodil (Suisen)*
Another flower represented in February kanzashi is the bright and happy Daffodil, known as suisen, in Japan. The daffodil appears in the late Winter and is seen as the flower that gives the final push to Spring. The white petals of the flower represent purity and peace bringing in new life, with the yellow center representing the warmth and color that is to be found in the approaching Spring season.
The daffodil kanzashi itself, is designed to imitate it's counterpart and has six rounded petals with small points on the end, surrounding a yellow to orange colored center with stamens popping out. The outside petals are usually white, but occasionally you will see kanzashi take on petals of the yellow color much like the other varieties of daffodil that exist.
Commonly, the daffodil kanzashi will be seen as a grouping of three medium sized flowers in a triangular pattern. There will usually be small leaves sprouting out from underneath the flowers and other small accents to bring out the white petals more. Another look that you'll find, is the lone daffodil that is of a larger size with a few leaves and perhaps unopened daffodils still in bud form.
Kusudama (Decorative Paper Ball)
Another kanzashi that is seen in February, as well as during the Setsubun festival, is the kusudama, which has the literal meaning of "medicine ball" as in ancient Japan it commonly stored herbs and incense, but in the current modern context is more of a decorative paper ball. The paper ball is created by sewing or gluing together triangular pyramids that are shaped like origami flowers to form the shape of a ball. These balls are often given a pretty gifts and used to decorate the home.
The bright colored kusudama is quite a complex creation and a traditional Japanese handicraft, which is probably why it is treasured and its bright colors appreciated as a sign of Spring to come, much as the other February kanzashi symbolize.
The kusudama kanzashi itself is designed to take on the ball form much like the paper ball it is meant to portray. As such, you'll see that it is a rounded ball covered completely in tsumami petals. The petals can be either round or pointed in shape, but frequently the kusudama is seen with a combination of both. There is usually a focal point from which the petals start from that resembles the center of a flower or a small coil. A final interesting detail that is present in the kusudama is that of a small dangling tassel attached to the bottom that gently sways about.
The colors seen on the kusudama are not set and seem to have an indefinite amount of variety. The pattern of the petals on the kusudama kanzashi itself are quite numerous. The most seen styles are those of a spiraling pattern that have various colored petals turning about the kanzashi in a hypnotizing manner and in a four quadrant style that features the ball divided into four different colors similarly spiraling around.
As you can see, all of the kanzashi found in the month of February are quite beautiful and represent the feelings natural aspects of the month with grace, much as their natural counterparts do. Every month holds a uniqueness about it that is better captured in the art of kanzashi than is usually noticed in today's fast paced world. I hope you have enjoyed reading about February's traditional seasonal kanzashi. Expect more articles to be added for each month in the future!
* Daffodil Kanzashi Images Still To Be Added.
Author: Skye Altamirano
Date: February 2008
Contact: skye [at] kanzashigarden.com
Kanzashi Artist/Photographer: amaebi79
Plum Blossom (Ume)
During February as the snow and cold begins to fade you will notice flowers popping up to resist the cold. One of the flowers best known to do this is the Plum Blossom, known as Ume, in Japan. They are seen as symbols of persistence due to their ability to bloom and be beautiful against the harsh bleakness of Winter.The strong colored petals representing purity and all that is good fighting against all odds and overcoming is seen as very iconic, as are the small buds opening up to symbolize young love and it's potential - making it a favorite flower and choice of kanzashi amongst many.
The plum blossom kanzashi itself is usually formed to look like the trailing deep pink and sometimes red ume blossoms that are beginning to bud and open in Japan at this time. You will see many variations and creative liberties taken with the colors of the ume, but it will always feature the double layered five petal "blueprint" as to imitate the look of it's true life counterpart.The Ume kanzashi will often be seen as a single Ume flower on a branch with small buds and leaves beginning to sprout and grow again. It will also be seen as numerous little ume blossoms gathered together as a group accompanied by little buds and small leaves.
Daffodil (Suisen)*
Another flower represented in February kanzashi is the bright and happy Daffodil, known as suisen, in Japan. The daffodil appears in the late Winter and is seen as the flower that gives the final push to Spring. The white petals of the flower represent purity and peace bringing in new life, with the yellow center representing the warmth and color that is to be found in the approaching Spring season.
The daffodil kanzashi itself, is designed to imitate it's counterpart and has six rounded petals with small points on the end, surrounding a yellow to orange colored center with stamens popping out. The outside petals are usually white, but occasionally you will see kanzashi take on petals of the yellow color much like the other varieties of daffodil that exist.
Commonly, the daffodil kanzashi will be seen as a grouping of three medium sized flowers in a triangular pattern. There will usually be small leaves sprouting out from underneath the flowers and other small accents to bring out the white petals more. Another look that you'll find, is the lone daffodil that is of a larger size with a few leaves and perhaps unopened daffodils still in bud form.
Kusudama (Decorative Paper Ball)
Another kanzashi that is seen in February, as well as during the Setsubun festival, is the kusudama, which has the literal meaning of "medicine ball" as in ancient Japan it commonly stored herbs and incense, but in the current modern context is more of a decorative paper ball. The paper ball is created by sewing or gluing together triangular pyramids that are shaped like origami flowers to form the shape of a ball. These balls are often given a pretty gifts and used to decorate the home.The bright colored kusudama is quite a complex creation and a traditional Japanese handicraft, which is probably why it is treasured and its bright colors appreciated as a sign of Spring to come, much as the other February kanzashi symbolize.
The kusudama kanzashi itself is designed to take on the ball form much like the paper ball it is meant to portray. As such, you'll see that it is a rounded ball covered completely in tsumami petals. The petals can be either round or pointed in shape, but frequently the kusudama is seen with a combination of both. There is usually a focal point from which the petals start from that resembles the center of a flower or a small coil. A final interesting detail that is present in the kusudama is that of a small dangling tassel attached to the bottom that gently sways about.The colors seen on the kusudama are not set and seem to have an indefinite amount of variety. The pattern of the petals on the kusudama kanzashi itself are quite numerous. The most seen styles are those of a spiraling pattern that have various colored petals turning about the kanzashi in a hypnotizing manner and in a four quadrant style that features the ball divided into four different colors similarly spiraling around.
As you can see, all of the kanzashi found in the month of February are quite beautiful and represent the feelings natural aspects of the month with grace, much as their natural counterparts do. Every month holds a uniqueness about it that is better captured in the art of kanzashi than is usually noticed in today's fast paced world. I hope you have enjoyed reading about February's traditional seasonal kanzashi. Expect more articles to be added for each month in the future!
* Daffodil Kanzashi Images Still To Be Added.
Author: Skye Altamirano
Date: February 2008
Contact: skye [at] kanzashigarden.com
Kanzashi Artist/Photographer: amaebi79
February 11, 2008
Tsumami Kanzashi Tutorial!
A tutorial has been added to the articles section of Kanzashi Garden on how to create your very own hana kanzashi using tsumami techniques!
At the moment the DIY tsumami kanzashi tutorial only focuses on the basic rounded petal design, but more will be steadily added to the how to guide with time. In the tutorial you will find information on the materials that you will need, a step by step guide with diagrams on how to fold a rounded petal, and the traditional & sewing techniques of attaching it to the base to complete a usable kanzashi flower.
In the future, I will be adding how to make a pointed flower petal, how to add mizuhiki cords for accents, and how to create center pieces for finishing the kanzashi. After these are complete, I plan to expand to detailing how to create certain types of flowers, but alas that will be some time from now.
To view the kanzashi tutorial, please go to this section:
How To Create Tsumami Kanzashi
Anyway, I truly do hope that it comes to use for someone. If it helps you, please post below to tell me about, as I really do appreciate it :D !
At the moment the DIY tsumami kanzashi tutorial only focuses on the basic rounded petal design, but more will be steadily added to the how to guide with time. In the tutorial you will find information on the materials that you will need, a step by step guide with diagrams on how to fold a rounded petal, and the traditional & sewing techniques of attaching it to the base to complete a usable kanzashi flower.In the future, I will be adding how to make a pointed flower petal, how to add mizuhiki cords for accents, and how to create center pieces for finishing the kanzashi. After these are complete, I plan to expand to detailing how to create certain types of flowers, but alas that will be some time from now.
To view the kanzashi tutorial, please go to this section:
How To Create Tsumami Kanzashi
Anyway, I truly do hope that it comes to use for someone. If it helps you, please post below to tell me about, as I really do appreciate it :D !
More Photos & Section
The kanzashi artist/photographer Songbird has allowed me to use & edit photos she has taken of a few of her pretty creations and the photographer ChissPrincess has allowed me to use photographs she has taken of the kanzashi she found in Japan.
To see Songbird's online gallery of her kanzashi creations please check out her Flickr gallery here. And to view ChissPrincess' kimono collection and kanzashi please click here. Thank you both for contributing!
There is the a new Non Traditional Floral Kanzashi added to the Seasonal Hana Kanzashi section which was created to host tsumami hana kanzashi that are based off of floras that aren't native to Japan or based off of traditional Japanese flora.
As always I hope to add more to this area as non traditional flora can be just as beautiful and interesting - and often more versatile as they aren't as confined to particular months!
To see Songbird's online gallery of her kanzashi creations please check out her Flickr gallery here. And to view ChissPrincess' kimono collection and kanzashi please click here. Thank you both for contributing!
There is the a new Non Traditional Floral Kanzashi added to the Seasonal Hana Kanzashi section which was created to host tsumami hana kanzashi that are based off of floras that aren't native to Japan or based off of traditional Japanese flora.
As always I hope to add more to this area as non traditional flora can be just as beautiful and interesting - and often more versatile as they aren't as confined to particular months!
February 6, 2008
Kanzashi Garden Opens
Kanzashi Garden has was opened a few days ago in the pursuit of ever enlightening the world as to the nature of what a kanzashi is and how they are generally used, as an educational site. Originally, the site was designed as a storefront for what was to be a place to sell my kanzashi, but I've decided to put it to better use, as there are not many places on the internet that really get into the nitty gritty details of the kanzashi. Well not so much nitty gritty, more like delicately refined beauty.
Many areas remain to be added, as this will be a continual process as more is researched and more resources are found to be added to the site. With that said, you will see that some areas are lacking an actual picture of the kanzashi being described, as I am looking for more photographers that are willing to allow me to use their photographs.
I have already had a very nice kanzashi artist by the name of Amaebi allow me to use/edit some of the photos she has taken of her kanzashi creations, which is why the site looks more fabuolous now. So, be nice and donate your images in the pursuit of educating the masses!
You will be credited of course and be added to the about section of the site as a contributor, under the artists and photographers section because its only proper and thats how I roll.
A few sections will shortly be coming to the site that include, an article on how to make tsumami kanzashi creations, an interview with a kanzashi artist, and a more detailed look at the types of kanzashi found in the month of February. Currently up at the moment are a brief introduction to Japanese kanzashi in the 'articles' section and in the 'kanzashi' section information about differing types and what is typically worn during each season. These area as well will be steadily added to with time.
I truly hope to expand upon this site and make it become something truly admirable. Until then, I look onward towards the future - and stylish hair traditional Japanese hair accessories.
Many areas remain to be added, as this will be a continual process as more is researched and more resources are found to be added to the site. With that said, you will see that some areas are lacking an actual picture of the kanzashi being described, as I am looking for more photographers that are willing to allow me to use their photographs.
I have already had a very nice kanzashi artist by the name of Amaebi allow me to use/edit some of the photos she has taken of her kanzashi creations, which is why the site looks more fabuolous now. So, be nice and donate your images in the pursuit of educating the masses!
You will be credited of course and be added to the about section of the site as a contributor, under the artists and photographers section because its only proper and thats how I roll.
A few sections will shortly be coming to the site that include, an article on how to make tsumami kanzashi creations, an interview with a kanzashi artist, and a more detailed look at the types of kanzashi found in the month of February. Currently up at the moment are a brief introduction to Japanese kanzashi in the 'articles' section and in the 'kanzashi' section information about differing types and what is typically worn during each season. These area as well will be steadily added to with time.
I truly hope to expand upon this site and make it become something truly admirable. Until then, I look onward towards the future - and stylish hair traditional Japanese hair accessories.
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