Vintage Mino straw cape from mid-century Japan. A traditional raincoat made out of straw.  Rice straw & other bast fibers have natural water-resistant properties & help with repellent rain droplets.  When the rain droplets hit the surface of the straw cape, the water tends to flow along the length of the fibers above and helps keep the underneath garment staying dry.  Peasants would often wear this while working in the rain out in the field.  It is light in weight and could also be used as camouflage in certain terrain.   These particular straw capes were woven beautifully on the back side.  Some designs would have the addition weaven of indigo-dyed fabric straps.  The bast fibers used here seem to be perhaps some type of rice straw.  It was handmade and woven by the Northern people in Aizu.  It would then be often used when they go into the mountains for foraging.  A wonderful handmade piece of old folk garment symbolizing the country life in old rural Japan.   #wabisabi #artpiece #vintagefashion #visvim #boro #Kapital #japaneseclothes #boroboro #downtownsquamish #vintage #antiques #museumgallery #japanesevintage #vintageindigo #patchwork #japaneseboro #japanesetextile #sashiko #costume #naturedyed #streetwear #cosplay #folkart #fashionweek #rustic #porterclassic #rrl #shogun #Mukashinoboro (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cod5jQ_rh09/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This Sunday 19th June I’m exhibiting at FROCK ME! in Kensington! 👘😄 I just came back from Japan 🇯🇵 on Sunday and ready to show you FANTASTIC new stock from this Japan 🇯🇵 trip at the fair 🙌❣️😁 Please come along and see me + the pieces 👘 Looking forward to seeing you there :) http://www.fujikimono.co.uk/events.html FROCK ME! Antique & Vintage Fashion, Textiles & Jewellery Fair Date: Sunday 19th June 2022 Venue: Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, London W8 7NX Time: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Entry Fee: Preview ticket  11:00 - 12:00   £10                   General admission 12:00 - 17:30  £5 ( £3 NUS ) *   * More details on: https://www.frockmevintagefashion.com/upcoming-fairs/2022/June * * Nearest tube: High Street Kensington * Buses: 9: 10: 27: 28: 49: 52: 70: 328: 452 * There is free parking in the surrounding areas plus a large car park (fees apply) under the Town Hall ‘ . . . . . . . . . #japaneseboro #sashiko #indigo #indigodye #boro #aizome #katazome #kasuri #藍染 #襤褸 #刺子 #noragi #野良着 #kofu #古布 #japanesetraditionaltextile #wabisabi #骨董 #古民藝 #民藝 #japanvintage #japaneseantique #mingei #vintagekimono #japaneseinterior @frockmevintagefair https://www.instagram.com/p/CeyL44Kotqf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Fall Sale!! 30%off on our Etsy store. Check them out! #tenthdaymarket #vintage #vtg #vintageshop #vintagerepair #vintagestore #vintagefashion #vintageclothing #vintagekimono #noragi #vintagenoragi #realvintage #vintageforsale #vintageindigo #japaneseboro #mensfashion #sashiko #unisexfashion #japanesevintage #vintagebrooklyn #vintagenewyork #noragijacket #vintagechorewear #vintagemilitarywear #vintagesportswear #vintageworkwear #womensvintage #mensvintageclothing (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjJG__ouZ_k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I am NOT asking/expecting you to agree with me on what I share all the time. Of course, I would like you to agree with & like me. However, since I sometimes say something strong, I understand if you disagree. The voice from another culture is occasionally uncomfortable to take in. What I consider “Cultural Appropriation” is not really what you make/do - it is more like how you approach the cultural word. When you intentionally “Ignore” our voices (not dislike the voice), then the issue will be significant and extremely painful. ☆ I want you to acknowledge the voice from the culture. Is it too much to ask? By interacting with many people here, I am confident to say that your Sashiko is NOT a whole if you do not understand the Japanese language. Your understanding of Sashiko is NOT wrong, but insufficient. So, even if you disagree and dislike what I say, please don’t ignore. If, in any case, you “choose” to ignore what I (& other Japanese) say, stop calling what you do “Sashiko/Boro” because it is the typical case of “Cultural Appropriation”.  ☆ It is very easy for me to say what everyone wants to hear. Telling something comfortable to hear is what most of the “Sashiko/Boro business” do (in English). Making customers happy is the business 101. Keeping the voice positive & saying “Oh that’s pretty” is the way to go if my goal is to make money. You know why I am here by now. My goal is to share the true voice so I can be the last one to suffer the pain in Cultural Appropriation to Sashiko. ☆ - - - ☆ なぜか最近急に、日本語で励ましのお言葉を頂くことが増えました。めちゃくちゃ嬉しいです。（でも、なぜ増えたのかは不思議ですｗ）。改めて思うのは、日本文化って独自な発展をしてきたんだなぁということ。日々の当たり前は文化と密接な関係があるので、刺し子も日本文化なしには語れないのです。 ☆ 「なんでもいいよ〜」という言葉には2種類あります。寛容と無知。器が広いのか、あるいは知らないのか。今の英語圏の刺し子の「なんでも良い」は寛容だとは思えないんです。寛容にはある程度の土台が必要だから。日本での刺し子の「何でも良い」と英語圏での刺し子の「何でも良い」には大きな違いがあるなぁと学んでおります。 ☆ #Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #CulturalAppropriation #JapaneseBoro #SashikoStory #Boro #日本の日常 #刺し子 #襤褸 #ぼろ https://www.instagram.com/p/CL1rMvCJaLA/?igshid=6a2dd3bo0629

Meet Textile Artisan Hanna Luther, owner of AomoriBlue

From Hanna’s ETSY Shop profile:

I’m a retired teacher doing what I love to do the most: Play with fabrics! I've lived and worked in Japan, both in the cold, northern ken of Aomori, and on the subtropical island of Okinawa. I've traveled the entire country and discovered the uniqueness of every place I've visited. I've designed and sewed for years. But it wasn't until I engaged with Japanese textiles that I found true passion. It is the touch and feel of vintage fabric that captured my spirit. Kimono, obi, tenegue, furoshiki, worn out futon covers, scraps, and toss -a-ways became my focus on every road trip. I haven't bought a gift for any one in years. And those recipients adore the hand made gifts that they will cherish always. I also enjoy modern day Japanese fabrics and appreciate the renditions of ancient patterns that we can enjoy in our modern day creations. I shop garages sales, estate sales, thrift shops and fabric stores. I'm always collecting and searching for that next hidden gem!

Read more about Hanna and view more of her work here: https://www.kyotokimono.com/category-s/296.htm

Each week we profile an artisan who works with vintage Japanese kimono fabrics.

Sale! #indigo #indigodye #boro #kofu #aizome #katazome #japanstyle #sashiko #aging #antiquetextiles #japanesevintage #japaneseantique #japaneseboro #noragi #mensfashion #藍染 #草木染 #襤褸 #ボロ #古布 #半纏 #着物コーデ #着物コーディネート #着物 #刺し子 #野良着 https://www.instagram.com/p/B9dEzG_nHx5/?igshid=1p9rjmvwpmxht

New Pattern - Make it Unique Iphone case - Pattern Kofu / Indigo For IPhone X / XS / XS MAX / XR # On simpleunion.tv #simpleunion #iPhoneX #iphonexs #iphonecase #iphone #iphonexsmax #iphonexr #indigo #indigodyed #indigofabric #japanindigo #japaneseboro #japanesefabric #phonecase #thinkdifferent #apple #appleiphone https://www.instagram.com/p/Botrq8Bnjkx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=usfck86gs9tc

กระเป๋าคาดอก/คาดเอว ผ้าแคนวาส 14 ออนซ์ ย้อมคราม ฿ ราคา 320 บาท . สล่าดีไซน์ สตูดิโอ x SALA DESIGN STUDIO 🧵 #หมวก #ผ้าย้อมคราม #ย้อมคราม #ผ้าฝ้ายย้อมคราม #กระเป๋าคาดอก #กระเป๋าคาดเอว #ไทยเท่ #cottonindigo #sashiko #sashikostitching #sashikodenim #japaneseboro #boro #aizome #katazome #noragi #sashiko #indigodyed #indigodyeing #chiangmaicrafts #thailandcraft #fannypack #indigo #indigobag #thaidesign #chiangmaidesign #craft #thaicraft #handicraft #thaihandicraft #thaihandmade (ที่ สล่าดีไซน์) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUY9qm0vvaG/?utm_medium=tumblr

Late night stitching on a wild and crazy Saturday night!🤪 Sashiko stitching and reinforcements for the boro style patches on the The Six Million Stitches Boro Bag is nearly complete. Soon, it will be time for a zipper extravaganza! 🤣 We’ll add an internal divider with a zipper pouch, a big, chunky top zipper, and smaller zippers on the two external pockets. Sturdy with lots of storage compartments and we’ll have it finished in time for our boro class at STITCHES Midwest! In fact, we might even be able to take in on a test run to @needlepoints_west in LA in a couple of weeks… maybe… stay tuned.😁 . . . . . . Details on that boro class at the link in our profile. Just select the button for STITCHES Midwest. Thread is @aurifilthread cotton 12 wt 💖 Fabrics are from our private inventory as well as @michaelmillerfabrics @freespiritfabrics @marcusfabrics @studio37fabrics 💖Tap photo for product tags.👍🏼 . . . #boro #shibaguyzlive #sashiko #sashikostitching #japaneseboro #modernboro #renaissancecrafters #makersgonnamake #handsewing #handpiecing #sewersofinstagram #aurifil #aurifilthread #stitchesmidwest #menwhosew #guyswhosew #patchwork (at Seattle, Washington)

INDIGO LOVE, INDIGO MIND: When an artisan's hard work becomes a part of Life when an Organisation is being considered the second family and when patrons feel good to be associated with an organization's effort... it's a proud moment a happy moment and the sense of satisfaction of being able to produce an Artwork that adds Value to Life & its Events is overwhelmingly encouraging. #indigodye #indigo #handmade #shibori #naturaldye #handdyed #shiboridye #khadi #indigodyed #cotton #handspun #handwoven #textiledesign #naturaldyes #indigoblue #nynow #boro #shiboridesign #shiboristyle #japaneseboro #tiedye #sashiko #anhad #anhadkhadi #craft #itajimeshibori #shiboritextiles #weaving #itajime #shiborilove https://www.instagram.com/p/CEra1Z2Jxak/?igshid=ijfbaj593ize

Old Japanese boro never gets old (to me)💙 . . #boro #fabric #japaneseboro #antiques #antique #indigo #fleamarketfinds #fleamarket #blue #california #sunday #patchwork (at Alameda Point Antiques Faire) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9OFRa5p-ye/?igshid=1kka3vz9l5voi

This winter jacket is made with vintage Japanese Nobori fabric, patchworked with sashiko hand-stitching, and dyed with Kakishibu Persimmon Tannin natural dye. Kakishibu is a traditional Japanese dying technique for a natural brown color by fermenting unripe persimmons and aging them for years. It is a great alternative to synthetic colors and it has great natural beneficial properties such as deterring insects and having an anti-mold effect on cotton. one-of-a-kind 1 of 1 MATERIAL: 100% Cotton Handcrafted Made in Japan Length: 37 inches Armpit to armpit: 25 inches  #wabisabi #artpiece #vintagefashion #visvim #Kakishibu #Persimmon #Kapital #japaneseclothes #boroboro #comfypants #downtownsquamish #Vancouver #oneofakind #indigoblue #patchwork #japaneseboro #japanesetextile #sashiko #costume #naturedyed #streetwear #cosplay #ootd #vintageclothing #fashionweek #rustic #handmade #retro #porterclassic #hoodies (at Squamish, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmkXKomyV2g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

☆ Charming indigo sekka shibori 雪花絞り half han jyuban kimono 👘 jacket ♡ Looks so refreshing for humid Hot Japanese summer 夏 ♡ 🍧 Contact me for more details by DM 　😊 So happy to be in Japan 🇯🇵 again!! 🙌😁 Last time in Japan 🇯🇵 was November 2019 😆😆 Can’t wait to show you more FAB pieces from here 🇯🇵😊 . . . . . . . . . . #fujiKimono #prelovedclothings #antiquekimono #HYPERJAPAN #upcyclefashion #sustainablefashionsta #tabiboots #japaneseboro #sashiko #indigo #indigodye #boro #aizome #katazome #kasuri #noragi #japanesetraditionaltextile #wabisabi #japanvintage #japaneseantique #mingei #日本着物 #👘❤️ #古董衣 #可爱衣衣 #藍染布 #hipparijacket #folkwear #workjackets #hipparijacket https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdkf7q3PR9K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Repair Work for my client #tenthdaymarket #vintage #japaneseboro #vintageshop #vintagestore #vintageindigo #vintagefashion #vintageclothing #vintageforsale #vintageculture #noragi #vintagetextiles #vintagedisplay #mensvintage #unisexvintage #vintagefarmer #japanesevintage #vtg #vintageworkwear #vintageworkpants #vintagerepair #sashikostitching #vintagefarmerpants #fadingindigo #sashiko #chorepants #vintagechorewear #vintagenewyork #vintagebrooklyn (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd4AUrTO2s2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Once mending starts in fabric, there will not be an ending. The mending is a caring process of the bigger process of using it. The similar principle applies to Boro. There is no ending in Boro. The only way to make “authentic Boro” is keep mending & using the fabric. For that matter, this denim hem that I wear every day may be “(authentic) Boro” in future. ☆ Boro is not the word for technique. Then, how about Sashiko? Sashiko contains some meanings of stitching techniques, but it is not the same. “Sashiko is a word for technique” is not wrong, but insufficient. In Japanese culture, we often focus on “mind” rather than “techniques”. Although “What we can do” in the form of skill & technique is important, “How we approach it” can be more critical in practicing it, especially if it has “Do-道-Way” in the word. Some say Judo in the Olympics is different from Judo practiced in Japan.  ☆ In a culture where “technique” and “result” is supremacy, focusing on “mind” first may be very difficult to understand. However, if one uses the Japanese word from Japanese culture, then understanding “mind” is critical. “Techniques” and “How to” are very fundamental in learning Sashiko. However, it isn’t enough. Therefore, I say, Sashiko is not Art. At least, one shouldn’t use the word “Art” as an excuse to not to learn this “mind” from Japanese culture.  ☆ - - - ☆ デニムの裾の補修。これを刺し子と呼ぶのかは補修してる僕自身が疑問符を投げ掛けたくなるレベルなのですが、好きなデニム全体に刺し子をして、着続けて、ダメージが蓄積されてきたら手を加えるという、この一連の流れがやっぱり好きなんだろうと思います。左が夏前に補修したもの。右が今回補修した所。使っている糸の色や布の種類等もありますが、補修は「使うこと」によって馴染みます。リペア専門の方のお仕事とはまた違うので、すぐにボロボロになる前提での補修です。このボロボロになる前提の補修を繰り返すことにより、襤褸になるのかな……と思ったり。リペア専門の方のお仕事を拝見する度に感嘆と尊敬の思いを懐きつつ、「切り取らない補修」を今後も楽しんでいけたらなぁと思っています。まー、でも、手仕事の補修での限界の布の厚さはデニムで3枚分くらいですね。4枚に2本取りとかだと、針に怒られそうになる��� ☆ 英語圏での刺し子は、とてつもなく「技術」に重きが置かれています。勿論、技術は大切です。でも、心がない技術って、僕はやっぱり好きになれないんです。じゃー、「心があるってどういうこと？」と説明が必要になってくるのですが、その説明がいらない前提を共有できているのが日本文化だと思うので、まだまだ僕の役目は終わらないなぁと思うのです。 ☆ #Sashiko #Animism #JapaneseSashiko #SashikoStitching #SashikoDenim #JapaneseBoro #Mending #刺し子 https://www.instagram.com/p/CI-5cd7pSx_/?igshid=1hz68ih9eondb

Sunday Showcase…

“Wearable” Boro Kimono

$699 - Click here to purchase or browse. Use the coupon code TB2019 to receive 10% off your entire purchase.

This amazing kimono robe was made from antique and vintage cottons but the garment itself is contemporary - probably made in the last 10-20 years - by an accomplished (but unknown) Japanese textile artist. (It was bought at auction, so provenance not known.) But since it was recently constructed, it's sturdy and quite wearable! Many shades of indigo along with other earth tones. Each patch is hand-sewn and sashiko stitched, and there are dozens of them. Technically it's a man's kimono since there is no opening under the arms, but could be worn by a woman. It's heavy because it's padded, and it's lined with a smooth indigo-dyed cotton. Many little blemishes and fading that are part of the charm of the vintage cotton scraps that were combined to create this stunning piece.