how to store/identify kimonos
February 11, 2015 10:33 AM Subscribe
I have 2 silk kimonos. Folded up properly. How should they be stored to protect them? In a box? Wrapped? I have no idea where they are from, any idea of their provenance. Any idea how to identify them? One is outside dark blue, a rougher material; smooth cream inside. The other vertical stripes, colors outside, red inside. Any ideas?
The usual way is to store them horizontal, wrapped in paper called tatoshi (to avoid mold and insects). There are also thin rolls that you can place at the folds to avoid creases.
One is outside dark blue, a rougher material;
It *could be* a tsumugi kimono, made of rougher silk (pongee). It goes into the informal-ish side of kimono. Here's a short documentary on tsumugi.
The other vertical stripes, colors outside, red inside.
Sounds like a komon, an informal, short-sleeved kimono with an all-over pattern. Red lining is usually found in vintage kimono.
posted by sukeban at 11:14 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
One is outside dark blue, a rougher material;
It *could be* a tsumugi kimono, made of rougher silk (pongee). It goes into the informal-ish side of kimono. Here's a short documentary on tsumugi.
The other vertical stripes, colors outside, red inside.
Sounds like a komon, an informal, short-sleeved kimono with an all-over pattern. Red lining is usually found in vintage kimono.
posted by sukeban at 11:14 AM on February 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Mod note: Heya, ebesan, it looks like those snapfish photos you're trying to link to aren't viewable to people who aren't logged in to that site.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:35 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:35 AM on February 11, 2015
You can get acid free textile boxes and acid free tissue. You should use acid free tissue "tootsie rolls" to pad any folds.
posted by gudrun at 11:45 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by gudrun at 11:45 AM on February 11, 2015
>pic
Sorry, but it's asking me to log in in order to see both photos. The current thumbnail is too small.
Imgur takes about 10 seconds (literally) to set up and share a high-res image.
posted by Nevin at 4:50 PM on February 11, 2015
Sorry, but it's asking me to log in in order to see both photos. The current thumbnail is too small.
Imgur takes about 10 seconds (literally) to set up and share a high-res image.
posted by Nevin at 4:50 PM on February 11, 2015
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When my parents were in Japan, they often picked up the special wedding Uchikake which were often in the inventory of a wedding rental company.
They were about $200 apiece to buy them, although when they were new they probably went for around $2,000 or more.
I displayed mine on a curtain rod in the living room. That orange with the white cranes is a very popular print.
What are you storing them for? You could take them to a cleaner and have them preserved like a wedding gown, it costs about $150 to do that. When mine were boxed, they were wrapped with acid free tissue and put into a special white box just for Kimono.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:41 AM on February 11, 2015