Magenta Love & Rock Steady hana kanzashi from Japan

MAIKO HANA KANZASHI HAIR STICK

Item# CKHS-HML

US$83.99

OPTION: MAGENTA LOVE MAIKO HANA KANZASHI HAIR STICK Sorry! Currently Out of Stock!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Maiko Hana Kanzashi hair Stick
MAGENTA LOVE! Price: US$ 83.99
ROCK STEADY! Price: US$ 94.99

1) Designing
The artisans start from designing each hana kanzashi hair stick. It can be difficult discovering new ideas for designs. But at the same time it is fun and challenging part of Kanzashi making.

2) Dying
Dying the fabrics 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 good health and pray for future blessings) and slightly more subtle colors for adults.

3) Gluing
Applying glue (mixed w/ water) on the habutae materials using a "Hake" brush. Then leave it for drying. This process is called "Norihiki" and will make the materials ready for kanzashi making, otherwise the material will not stay in the perfect shapes. It takes about 1~2 hours to dry the materials. They can only do this when the weather is just right (Not to hot or cold). Severe sun light may cause the discoloration of the materials.

4) Cutting
After the drying process, the materials (habutae) are dried and folded. This material is slippery so they use newspaper in-between sheets. Start to cut in lengths using a round knife then into small squares. They are prepared in many different colors and shapes, in order to make just one piece of kanzashi.

5) "Tsumami"
Artisans start to fold the cut squares, using a tweezer. The special glue is spread on wooden board and folded part is placed on it. This process is called "Tsumami". There are only 2 ways to fold habutae materials. One is called "Maru Tsumami" which means round shape tsunami and the other way is called "Kaku Tsumami" which has a shape more strong and sharp. All the hana kanzashi hair sticks are made with these 2 types habutae parts. The veteran artisans can make as much as 10,000 pieces tsunami each a day.

6) "Fuku"
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 makes a big difference to the finished kanzashi products. It shows the personality of each kanzashi artisan. The old saying was "Be a flower to make flower" and "Be a butterfly to make butterfly". The artisans personality & life experiences whether happiness or sadness are reflected in the kanzashi. It must be the balance of those experiences, not only the skills that makes a great artisan.

7) Arranging, Constructing
The finished flowers, leaves and butterflies parts dry for a day. When the pieces are completely dry, they are arranged into a kanzashi shape, wrapped with "Gokuten-ito", a special thread. This process is called "Kumiage" which means arranging, constructing. It is almost like doing a flower arrangement.

8) 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 most important part of kanzashi making process. Finally "Uzumaki"(Swirl) or rhinestone will be attached to the center of each flower of kanzashi as a stigma. It is the happiest moment when the kanzashi is done. All kanzashi making process is done by hand, so each artisans personality have influenced to the products.



Size: Length 6.5-inch long
Handcrafted in Japan