A Japanese Earth Friendly studio evolved by a Certified Kimono Consultant & the only one Authentic Edo Tsumami Kanzashi Artisan among any English site.
"Atelier Kanawa" means "the studio to produce Japanese harmony & peace".
It is run by Kuniko Kanawa, a professional Tsumami Kanzashi artisan and also a certified Kimono consultant of All Japan Kimono consultant association.
In 2007, she became a professional Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan through intensive trainings by nationally designated master Kazuyo Hozumi, the one of only five acknowledged Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in Japan. While none of the artisans are accepting official apprentice today due to the critical issue over supply and demand, Kuniko's extraordinarily passion to preserve this inexpressibly beautiful traditional art luckily led her to be accepted as a private pupil. Master Kazuyo took an extra effort to passionately train Kuniko by entrusting her to pass this art onto future generations. Despite her serious illness, master Kazuyo continued to train Kuniko every year when she traveled to Japan. Sadly master Kazuyo passed away, however Kuniko continues her further training under master Kazuyo's husband master Minoru Hozumi, also a nationally designated Edo Tsumami Kanzashi artisan.
Kuniko is currently working on her Edo Tsumami Kanzashi book, partially as a memorial for her Edo Tsumami Kanzashi master. This book will be very remarkable for introducing primarily *the authentic Edo Tsumami Kanzashi* as well as the modern Kanzashi and its artisan's field focusing on how we should preserve our culture.
In the same year, Kuniko officially became a certified Kimono Consultant of All Japan Kimono Consultant Association through Sodo Kimono Academy. This certificate is approved by the Ministry Of Education/Science and Economy / Industry.
She has been teaching Kimono class, dressing her clients, working for Opera Madama butterfly, producing Kimono shows and so on.
Kuniko also has been studying to dye Kimono patterns by Bingata Katazome style. Bingata is the traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabric in Okinawa (southern part of Japan), using a resist paste applied through stencil. The term "Bingata Katazome" is divided form a combination of Kata (pattern or stencil), and Zome, from the verb Someru (to dye). Only natural ingredients are used in Bingata Katazome, such as ink, soy juice for diluting ink, brush, and fabric.
Beside, she has been producing Chiyo-gami and Origami jewelry, fused glass jewelry, and Japanese embroidery.
Since 2005, Kuniko has been pursuing classical Japanese dance as well by Hanayagi-style under Mme Wakana Hanayagi sensei, which consists of Geisha dance, Noh, Kabuki and so on. She is currently in the advanced level.
Now she would love to share her stories about her ancestors who were in traditional Japanese business.
Her great grand father on her father's side was a part time Shinto priest at his local Inari shrine.
The other great grand father was a Kimono pattern dye artisan mainly for Yukata, the Summer Kimono. Her grand father on her father's side was a Ranma (an openwork screen above the sliding partitions between two rooms) wood curving artisan.
Both of her grand mothers were Kimono tailors. Her mother and aunt graduated from Kimono academies. Her aunt has taught Kimono classes in Japan.
Growing up in such a modernized Japanese environment, Kuniko did not know these remarkable histories of her family members for such a long time. However without knowing these facts, one day she became strongly inspired to learn deeply about her own culture and traditions. Her blood stream from her ancestors must have led her to this direction.
Today, she deeply regards her ancestors who were in traditional Japanese business.
As a successor of traditional Japanese culture, Kuniko passionately strives to introduce our "disappearing culture" nation wide and pass it on to our next generation.
Enjoy being a part of our beautiful culture!
As a Certified Kimono Consultant and the Authentic Tsumami Kanzashi artisan, Kuniko carries many kinds of Kimono fabrics for you to choose from, as well as Chiyogami papers and dichroic glass. Color, design, material variations are available for most of my items. She creates Traditional Tsumami Kanzashi to wedding Kanzashi, as well as moden, high fashion, and Kawaii Kanzashi.
If you have any questions about your request, please feel free to send a message from contact form.
If you order a matching piece for your Kimono, please send the photo of your Kimono.
If you would like to order SEVERAL ITEMS, please ORDER THEM SEPARATELY by following the order form below.
When you place your custom order, please inform :
1. TITLE OF THE ITEM (if reffering from my past sold item)
2. IDEAL PRICE
3. QUANTITY
4. DEADLINE
Please specify the date you would like your custom order to be shipped.
5. SHIPPING ADDRESS
Please let me know if you are in the United States or abroad for the purpose of knowing the shipping fee for your invoice.
6. DESCRIPTIONS
[Color]
Please be specific of your ideal colors.
Send URL of my sold item which has the color that you like
Send photo of the color if you have any.
[Size]
Please inform me the approximate size of your order.
Send URL if you are referring from my sold items.
[Material]
ex; comb, hairpin, snap clip, gemstone, pearls etc.
[Design]
For example:numbers of the flowers, single / double layer, leaves, center bead, pep, flower shaped cap, hanging petal strings, hanging beads, bells, Ginbira dangling etc.
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[PAYMENT]
In order for me to start making your order, I need to receive your full payment in advance, including the shipping fee, unless you are a retailer.
Retailers, I accept either full up front payment including shipping fee, or 50% deposit without the shipping fee. If you are paying 50% deposit, you can complete your payment including shipping fee when all the items are completed.
Please note that custom made order is not refundable.
[DURATION TO COMPLETE ORDER]
Ordinary order:
I prefer to have at least 2 weeks to complete your order, excluding the shipping days. However, it all depends on my current schedule and the items you order. It may take a month, or couples of month to complete your order, so please feel free to send me conversations for more information!
Rush order:
Depending on the kind of the item, I can complete your order and ship it within a week. This service is ONLY for those who are REALLY in rush.
My wholesale price is 60% of retail price.
Ex: $10 retail item can be $6 for wholesale by this formula
$10 x 0.60 = $6
This offer is strictly for store buyer / reseller only.
Initial minimum order:$100
From the second order:$100 and up
Please send me your store information along with your request:
1. Store name
2. Store address
3. Store phone number
4. Your website URL if there is any
If you are purchasing from my existing items, please send me URLs so that I can reserve them for you with altered price.
If you would like to place custom orders from my sold items, please do the same.
If you would like to request completely new design, please inform me your ideal design and color.
I accept either up front full payment by company check or PayPal including shipping fee, or 50% deposit without the shipping fee. If you are paying 50% deposit, you can complete your payment including shipping fee when the items are all completed.
Thank you very much for your business!
Edo Tsumami Kanzashi is the National Designated Traditional Handcraft. It is mostly made in Tokyo and Chiba region today. It has been carried by refined skillful artisans with profound understandings of our language, culture, history, the beauty of Japanese seasons and nature, materials, and most importantly, the responsibility of carrying this art for the future generations by correctly succeeding the will from our ancestors.
The history of Kanzashi (ornamental hairpin) goes back as far as the history of Japan 3000 years ago. In the prehistorical Jomon era (approx. 1000 B.C. to 300 A.D.), it was believed that a supernatural power inhabited this thin stick. Wearing this stick as a charm against evil spirit became the origin of Kanzashi.
The derivation of then term "Kanzashi" is "“Kami-zashi”" meaning “hair stick”. People decorated their hair with flowers when they were inviting Deities. Another theory is “"Ka-zashi”" meaning “flower stick”.
It was during the Edo period (1603-1867) that current styles of Kanzashi had been formed. Among varieties of Kanzashi in this period, Edo Tsumami Kanzashi was made for mainly maidens to wear for occasional celebrations of the beauty of the seasons.
Today, Tsumami Kanzashi is worn by Maiko / Hangyoku, those young girls under the training to become a Geiko / Geisha. They add to the fun to banquet by dancing, singing, and playing Shamisen. In their custom, the seasonal Kanzashi is chosen based on the month. For example, they wear plum blossoms in February, cherry blossoms in April, and wisteria or iris in May. Tsumami Kanzashi is also worn for celebrating new years, coming-of-age ceremony, weddings, performing classical Japanese dance, and celebrating Shichi-Go-San", the celebration for children who are becoming the age of three, five, and seven.
Tsumami (pinching) is the technique to pinch / pick up a two dimensional piece of silk fabric to construct a three dimensional object. Tsumami consists of two types of method called Maru-Tsumami (round pinching) and Kaku / Ken-Tsumami (sword shaped pinching).These techniques were traditionally utilized by maidservants in the imperial court since the middle of the Edo period. Eventually, the style spread all over Japan. Tsumami Kanzashi was often depicted in Ukiyoe pictures.
Habutae silk, a plain woven silk has been traditionally used to make Tsumami Kanzashi.
In the Edo era, there were five major styles of Kanzashi: Hana-Kanzashi, Mimikaki-Kanzashi, Matsuba-Kanzashi, Tama-Kanzashi, and Hirauchi-Kanzashi.
Hana-Kanzashi was derived from a centuries old “Ka (flower) - zashi” flower stick, and was the most gorgeous style. Edo-Tsumami Kanzashi belonged to the Hana-Kanzashi category.
Mimikaki-Kanzashi was named after the ear pick. It was useful to scratch the itchy scalp after styling the hair.
Matsuba-Kanzashi was named after the falling pine noodle since the leg of the Kanzashi resembles it.
Tama-Kanzashi was basically the Mimikaki-Kanzashi with a ball, with either one or two legs. The Tama (ball) was made of coral, agate, gold, silver, ivory, and glass.
Hirauchi-Kanzashi was named after the word “hirauchi” which means “thin and flat” and was mainly made of silver. Their frames were shaped round, tortoiseshell, diamond, or flower. Additionally, they formed fretworks or curves of quite thin lines of a family crest or flower crest.
As the number of Japanese wearing Kimono decreased, the number of Tsumami Kanzashi artisans decreased as well. Today, there are only five acknowledged artisans in Japan. Kuniko Kanawa is the only one in the United States preserving this cultural heritage.
Tsumami Kanzashi is the National Designated Traditional Handcraft. It has been carried by refined skillful artisans with profound understandings of our language, culture, history, the beauty of Japanese seasons and nature, materials, and most importantly, the responsibility of carrying this art for the future generations by correctly succeeding the will from our ancestors.
“ The Law regarding the promotion of traditional handicraft industry w as established in 1974 to defend, raise, and evolve the old techniques of traditional handicrafts. It is adopted throughout Japan, in many prefectures.
A Cabinet minister of Ministry of economy/trade and industry designates traditional handicraft based on this law.
~ Article 2 ~
1. Traditional handicraft must be mainly used for daily life.
2. Principal creating process of Traditional handicraft must be crafted by hand.
3. Traditional handicraft must be created by mainly traditional refined technical skill.
4. Traditional handicraft must be crafted with traditional materials.
5. Artisans of the Traditional handicraft must have been crafting in a set area.
While it is critically important to preserve this art, it must be done correctly as our ancestors have been doing.
As my master said, traditional Japanese culture must be correctly and respectfully preserved by Japanese who fully grew up in Japanese environment and climate by achieving the expertise & *authentic Japanese spirit*, after going through strict professional trainings.
It is wonderful that people all around the world to love the beauty of our culture. I profoundly welcome them enjoying "hobby" Tsumami Kanzashi for themselves. However, those *Imitation Tsumami Kanzashi* sold by self taught hobby crafters stating that they use traditional techniques while NON OF THEM WERE NEVER PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED by authentic artisans, is absolutely not appropriate.
According to my network with Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in Japan, there are NO foreigners in individual level / even Japanese outside of Japan who were professionally trained and permitted to sell, beside me. When somebody who lack the professional attitude name their piece "Tsumami Kanzashi" or "Kanzashi" and sell at cheep price based on their sole decision, it destroys our historical culture and the entire market since the majority of people today do not have the eyes for authentic quality and tend to go to the cheep ones unfortunately.
Please be aware of Tsumami Kanzashi made in China as well which appear traditional but different from the authentic ones by the combination of the flowers and the colors.
Hobby crafters seem to have read my master's book, but as an apprentice, I have a responsibility to state that she did not write the book for those who were never professionally trained to affect / destroy the market / quality of our traditional art work, by selling on their own decision. It is a hobby book, for you to enjoy as hobby, but never as business. She actually was very outraged the fact that Chinese mass produced imitation Tsumami Kanzashi for cheap labor, which destroyed the lives of authentic artisans in Tokyo.
When entering traditional Japanese culture, humbly respecting our tradition and the professional courtesy are quite significant.
This is how any Japanese artisan's filed works:
1. It is not a school. You should not casually just ask the master or his / her apprentice to train you. Especially, not introducing yourself at the moment of approaching is considered extremely rude, arrogant, disrespectful in our polite society. No questions asked.
2. You must be offered and accepted by artisan to be trained.
3. IF YOU ARE NOT PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED BY A NATIONAL DESIGNATE TSUMAMI KANZASHI MASTER, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL. To create and sell national designated traditional handicraft, you must obtain the permission by professional artisans who trained you.
4. Lean to be humble first. Consider if you are preserving Japanese culture the RIGHT WAY/CORRECTLY. This is the most necessary attitude among any Japanese culture. Do not make something messy for cheap price to bring our quality low.
5. Those who browse around my shop or purchase my Tsumami Kanzashi for the purpose to COPY to SELL, please refrain from doing so. My customers clearly see some of them are very obvious and totally opposite from respecting Japanese spirit which is the most important attitude when it comes to enter our culture.
6. ABSOLUTELY NO COPY RIGHT VIOLATION OF MY MASTER'S BOOK ON ANY WRITTEN SOURCES, to show the traditional / professional method of Tsumami Kanzashi, also NO CLASS TO OFFER, UNLESS YOU ARE PERMITTED BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISANS. Do not even think about doing so. Anybody who was never trained has NO rights to violate our sacred field. No question asked.
I hope you can humbly understand this deep issue as a big picture and become a *true* supporter of authentic artisans. Thank you very much.
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Maiko's monthly Hana Kanzashi mini exhibit at Japanese American National Museum Store
February 2010 - May 2011
369 East First Street, Los Angeles, California 90012
Phone: (213) 625-0414, 1(800) 461-5266
Business hours of museum store:
Closed on Monday and Tuesdays
Wednesday – Sunday: 11a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 12p.m. to 8 p.m.
* Free admissions to enter the store
Maiko is a young girl who is under the training to become a Geisha. They wear beautiful hair ornament called “Hana-Kanzashi.” “Hana-Kanzashi” is the type of “Tsumami Kanzashi,” the disappearing Japanese National designated traditional handicraft art today. Maiko change their Hana-Kanzashi every month based on the flowers blooming that season. They are very enjoyable to watch.
Kanzashi display changes every month. Please visit and enjoy this mini exhibit for this rare opportunity.
Many people seem to have a hard time distinguishing Maiko / Hangyoku, Geiko / Geisha, and Oiran.
Maiko is apprentice Geiko. Long time ago, young girls between 9-12 years old begun to learn to become Maiko, but today, due to the Labor Standards Act and Child Welfare Act, they must be at least graduating from junior high school.
Miko add to the fun to banquet by singing, dancing, and playing Shamisen. Besides luxurious Kimono and Obi they wear beautiful hair ornament called Hana-Kanzashi which is the type of Tsumami Kanzashi. They change Hana-Kanzashi every month based on the seasonal flowers / plants of the months. Those girls who are in the same status in Tokyo area are called Hangyoku, meaning "half payment" of Geisha's payment.
Geiko is advanced Maiko after five years of training. They entertain clients at the banquet by showing a variety of art such as singing, dancing, and playing Shamisen. Both Maiko and Geiko are registered in "Okiya" in "Hana-machi" in Kyoto, such as Gion, and sent to "Ocha-ya" where the banquets are held.
Geisha means a person who entertains with her artistic skills. GEI means art, SHA means a person.They are the same as Geiko.
The root of Geisha goes back to Shira-byoshi, Yujo and Miko.
Shira-byoshi was mainly female and children who dressed up as male with White attire and Katana. They sung / danced without any instrument but with only the hand rhythm. Having access to the mansions of nobles, naturally led them to have relationships with nobles.
Yujo was the female who entertained males by dancing and so on at the banquet, but occasionally with sexual services.
Miko is a shrine maiden / a virgin consecrated to a deity who dance to convey oracles from deities.
Eventually Shira-byoshi disappeared due to war period. Aged Miko who had to leave their field begun to sing, dance, play Shamisen at Mizu-Chaya for visitors. Later they entertained visitors of the shrines / temples by imitating Kabuki. This custom was handed down to Edo (Toyko of today) and gradually formed the style of Geisha.
When Edo period begun, they were banned to perform, due to imitating Yakuza and emphasizing too much of female sexuality.
Therefore the Tokugawa Shogunate approved Yukaku, a pleasure quarters / red-light district, to segrigate the region for entertainment and prostitution. The Tokugawa shogunate restricted prostitution in Yukaku. They chose either to live inside Yukaku or live as entertainer outside of it.
Today, Geisha add to the fun to banquet by singing, dancing, and playing Shamisen. Even though Geisha system was constructed in a licensed quarters, they are strictly distinguished from prostitute. For example, they wear Tabi socks while courtesans do not wear them. They hold the opening side of Kimono to the left so that the men are not able to slide their hands into their Kimono. This is called Hidari-Duma. Hidari-Duma means that you will provide strictly entertainment only but not any sexual services.
