Pines Through Seasons

Size

approx. 60cm x 20cm x 4cm (3 items)

Materials

silk (outside-layer) , wooden frame, cotton linen canvas (under-layer)

About this canvas

Three canvases made from different kimonos share the same traditional kasamatsu pattern.

The kimono used on the left canvas depicts the famous Kiyomizu no Butai (stage of Kiyomizu).

The kimono fabric in the middle uses gold-colored hand-painted yuzen and gold thread.

The pine tree on the kimono ground on the right is gradated to show how the tree's branches gradually change color in autumn.

The combination of flowing forms is wonderful, and if you look closely, you can see that the same pine tree has different seasons. They can be used together or separately.

Period / Story

The kimonos used in this canvas were all made and used in the late Showa period (1950s to 1980s).

Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors

Kasamatsu (Japanese umbrella pine) pattern spreading over white waves. It seems to represent a pine tree growing muscularly on the cliffs of the sea.

Kasamatsu is one of the typical pine tree patterns. The name "kasamatsu" comes from the pine tree's leaves and branches, which spread out horizontally to form a hat-like shape.

In East Asia, the pine tree is considered a symbol of longevity because of its lush green leaves, even in winter.

In Japan, it is also called "evergreen tree" because of its evergreen leaves, which are green all year round, and has long been considered a lucky tree

It has also been called "Matsu, Take, and Ume" (meaning "pine, bamboo, and plum" in Japanese), which is a tree to be celebrated in combination with the plum tree, which flowers even in winter, and the bamboo tree, which remains green even in winter.

The kadomatsu, which is decorated on the gate of a house at New Year's, is believed to be a symbol of welcoming the gods.

Characteristics of the fabric 

The left canvas is decorated with gold embroidery on the roof of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, gold on the Kasamatsu pine trees, gold leaf on the wisteria, and other gorgeous gold embroidery all over the pattern.

The center canvas is decorated with hand-dyed gold and kinkoma embroidery accented with pine tree patterns.

Kin-koma embroidery is an embroidery technique in which thick threads or gold threads that cannot be threaded through a needle are wound around a wooden piece (a kind of thread winder), which is then rolled and the embroidery threads are laid along the underpainting and fastened with a binding thread.

The gold threads add three-dimensional embellishment to the intricate and delicate nuances of the pattern and add glamor to the work.

Decoration Advice

Canvas can be displayed on a table, wall, etc. Hanging on a wall requires hooks, tacks or nails. It can also be displayed propped up on an easel. Ideal for a room makeover, housewarming gift, present, or souvenir for a loved one.

Precaution

All the works are made from real kimonos, antiques and vintages. For this reason, the fabric may have traces of long-term use and minor fabric damages. In case there are any scratches or stains, we always add a photo of the area on the item page, so please check before purchasing. Regarding precaution, cancellation and refund policy, please refer to the refund policy in the footer section of the site for information.