Kiwaku blossoms
木枠の花
Motif
Many obi and kimono are adorned with seasonal motifs, making them suitable for only specific times of the year. However, celebratory obi like this one often feature designs representing many seasons at once, allowing them to be enjoyed year-round.
In this rich motif, you can recognise bamboo grass and some of Japan’s most symbolic flowers, such as plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, wisterias and chrysanthemums. They all seem to float in front of the gold waves spalshing in the background. And in the center of all this, an element that the sewer I am appreciates it a lo: a Kiwaki. A wodden bobin covered of silk threads. These traditionally used by textile weavers, including obi weavers.
Kiwaku covered with vibrant silk threads in Masakazu Akiyama’s studio in Aya Miyazaki.
The golden parts of the motif, made of silk and lamé, have a highly shimmering effect.The black parts are almost matte, with a soft shimer caused by the luster of the silk.
