Atelier Kanawa's Beautiful Hanakanzashi

AnaIkimaru Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:28 pm

We may carry some of her works in our booth should a demand happen for them (Anna would love to see them in person! So pretty!). However for now we want to give her a mention. Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AtelierKanawa

I run Atelier Kanawa (means "studio to play Japanese harmony & peace") and would love to share my stories of my ancestors who were in Kimono business.

My great grand father on my mother's side was an artisan who dyed Kimono designs, mainly Yukata, the Summer Kimono. Both of my grand mothers were Kimono tailors. Also, my mother and aunt graduated from Kimono academies. My aunt has taught Kimono classes in Japan.

I didn't know these remarkable histories of my family members for such a long time, however, without knowing these facts, one day I became inspired to learn about Kimono.
I have been studying Kimono to dress myself since January in 2005, and to dress others since March 2006.
In October 2007, I officially became a certified Kimono Consultant/adviser of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association through "Sodo" (装道) Kimono Academy. This certificate is approved by the Ministry Of Education/Science and Economy/Industry.
You can read the biography of my principal Mr. Norio Yamanaka (also an appointed chairman of the All Japan Kimono Consultants Association) at:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Kimono-Norio-Yamanaka/dp/0870117858

Having these histories, I passionately pursued Tsumami Kanzashi, a traditional Japanese long ornamental hairpin.
Today, there are only five acknowledged Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in Japan. Most of them do not have successors to carry out this beautiful traditional art, therefore it is rapidly and certainly dieing out. I was blessed to be accepted as a private pupil by one of them in summer 2007, even though my master does not train anybody anymore due to serious illness. It meant so much to me that my master passionately trained me by wanting to leave this inexpressibly beautiful traditional art to the future generation, because that was exactly what I was thinking about doing so. We should not let our culture disappear.

Above is quoted from her Etsy site.