Rabbit in the Moon Tsumami Kanzashi 326

In Japanese folklore, the markings on the moon are said to be a rabbit that is pounding mochi (rice cakes). It is known as “Tsuki no Usagi”.  This version is composed of 39 hand-pinched and folded silk squares. A subtle blue crescent defines the edge of the moon which is accented with a silver tone. The diameter of the kanzashi is 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) long. It has been mounted on a 4 inch (10 cm) silver-plated hairpin. 

Habutae silk is hand-dyed, starched to the stiffness of paper, and cut into small square pieces. Each piece is hand folded into a single petal using sharp tweezers and “pinched” in the traditional tsumami method similar to folding origami. The petals are aligned on a flat board which is covered with our recipe of rice glue. Each silk petal is mounted on stiff card stock and carefully shaped into a desired form. Wire is used to support the flowers, which are gathered into a lovely bouquet.
Etsy