Ume Plum Blossom Kanzashi with Shidare 211

Plum blossoms are a traditional motif for kanzashi worn by maiko in February. Pink, red, and white is a popular combination. The shidare petals are typically triangular.


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