This is one of our favorite maiko Hana kanzashi hair sticks. It is a real Maiko hair stick from Kyoto, Japan. It can be worn and looks beautiful on any hair color.
The manufacturing process of Hana kanzashi
1 Dying
Dyeing the fabrics is called "HABUTAE." They would use very vivid colors for Shichigosan ("seven-five-three" festival: It is a custom of taking three- or seven-year-old girls and three- or five-year-old boys to the local Shinto shrine to give thanks for their excellent health and pray for future blessings) and slightly more subtle colors for adults.
2 Gluing
Apply glue (mixed with water) to the habutae materials using a "Hake" brush, and then leave it to dry. This process is called "Norihiki" and will make the materials ready for kanzashi making. Otherwise, the content will not stay in perfect shape. It takes about 12 hours to dry the materials. They can only do this when the weather is just right (not too hot or cold). Severe sunlight may cause the discoloration of the materials.
3 Cutting
After drying, the contents (habutae) are dried and folded. This material is slippery, so they use in-between newspaper sheets. Start to cut in lengths using a round knife, then into small squares. They are prepared in many colors and shapes to make just one kanzashi piece.
4 Folding, “Tsumami”
Artisans start to fold the cut squares using a tweezer. The special glue is spread on a wooden board, and a folded part is placed on it. This process is called "Tsumami." There are only two ways to fold habutae materials. One is called "Maru Tsumami," which means round-shaped tsunami, and the other is called "Kaku Tsumami," which has a more active and sharp shape. All the Hana kanzashi hair sticks are made with these two habutae parts. Veteran artisans can make as many as 10,000 pieces of tsunami each day.
5 Flower & butterfly
This process is called "Fuku." The "Kaku Tsumami" and "Maru Tsumami" habutae parts on the wooden board are placed carefully on to paper board for making flowers, leaves, and butterflies. This "Fuku" process significantly affects the finished kanzashi products. It shows the personality of each kanzashi artisan. The old saying was, "Be a flower to make the flower," and "Be a butterfly to make a butterfly." The artisan's personality & life experiences, whether happiness or sadness, are reflected in the kanzashi. The balance of those experiences, not only the skills, must make a great artisan.
6 Arranging, "Kumiage"
The finished flowers, leaves, and butterfly parts dry for a day. When dehydrated, the pieces are arranged into a kanzashi shape and wrapped with "Gokuten-ito," a particular thread. This process is called "Kumiage," which means organizing and constructing. It is like making a flower arrangement.
7 Finishing
The "Bira" (Shiny silver fringe decollation) and hair stick part will be attached securely to the arranged kanzashi wrapped tightly with "Gokuten-ito" threads. This is the last step and one of the essential elements of the kanzashi-making process. Finally, as a stigma, "Uzumaki" (Swirl) or rhinestone will be attached to the center of each kanzashi flower. It is the happiest moment when the kanzashi is done. The kanzashi-making process is done by hand, so each artisan's personality has influenced the products.
アイボリーホワイト色の美しい花かんざしです。 ひとひら、ひとひら。シルクの花弁をピンセットでつまみながら造作していく「つまみかんざし」は、今から２００年ほど昔の江戸時代に生まれました。豊国や清峯の浮世絵にも描かれています。
MATERIALS
100% Silk flowers + Metal legs attached
SIZE: Length 170mm、FLOWER DIAMETER 230mm
Handmade in Japan
HOW TO USE
Enjoy! Please share your photo on our FB or IG!
