Traveling Birds ~Transformation~

One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from antique kimono fabrics. Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics.

Size

63 x 59 x 5cm

Materials

antique silk, antique paulownia wood

Edition 

One-of-a-kind

Story Behind the Work

This artwork is created from an antique Taisho-era kimono that once belonged to a young girl and was worn for festive and celebratory occasions.

After serving its original purpose in Japan during the early 1920s, the kimono survived for decades before being purchased in Japan during the 1990s and taken to New York by its new owner. Nearly a century after it was first worn, the fabric returned to Japan, where it was carefully transformed into a piece of kimono textile art at the ikasu atelier.

Today, the artwork has completed its extraordinary journey and returned once again to New York, carrying with it a century of memories, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.

The frame is crafted from antique paulownia wood reclaimed from a traditional kiritansu chest once used to store precious kimonos, creating a piece deeply rooted in Japanese textile culture while fitting beautifully into contemporary interiors.

By combining antique kimono silk, reclaimed paulownia wood, and modern design sensibilities, this work gives new life to materials that could no longer serve their original purpose.

Period / Story

The kimono used in this artwork was originally created during the Taisho period (early 1920s).

It was worn by a young girl during special occasions and celebrations, preserving memories of joy, family gatherings, and important milestones. After traveling from Japan to New York and back again, the fabric has been reborn as an artwork that continues its story across generations and continents.

Explanation and Meaning of Pattern and Colors

This artwork features an elegant composition of peonies, seasonal blossoms, and cranes.

In Japanese culture, the peony symbolizes prosperity, beauty, honor, and abundance. Often referred to as the "King of Flowers," it has long been associated with refinement and celebration.

The crane is one of Japan's most auspicious motifs. It symbolizes longevity, happiness, fidelity, and good fortune. Cranes are traditionally believed to live for a thousand years and are frequently featured in garments created for life's most important celebrations.

The soft pink, ivory, and orange blossoms are balanced by deep indigo accents, creating a composition that feels both delicate and sophisticated. The colors evoke the transition between day and night, memory and renewal, reflecting the fabric's own journey through time.

The segmented composition recalls the structure of traditional Japanese architecture and shoji screens, inviting the viewer to discover different details and stories within each section of the work.

The artwork serves as a metaphor for transformation: a treasured kimono once worn by a child, preserved across generations, traveling across the world, and finally reborn as contemporary art.

Characteristics of the Fabric

The work combines antique kimono silk with contemporary artistic composition to create a valuable piece of history suited to modern living spaces.

The fabric displays the rich textures, intricate dyeing techniques, and craftsmanship characteristic of Taisho-period textiles. Its colors remain remarkably vibrant despite the passage of more than one hundred years.

About the Frame

This artwork is framed with reclaimed paulownia wood taken from an antique kiritansu chest originally used for storing kimonos.

Paulownia wood is one of Japan's most treasured materials. Lightweight yet durable, it is valued for its natural beauty, resistance to humidity, and ability to protect delicate textiles.

For centuries, treasured kimonos were stored in paulownia chests to shield them from moisture, insects, and fire. By incorporating reclaimed paulownia into the frame, the artwork preserves not only the kimono itself but also another important element of Japan's textile heritage.

Decoration Advice

This artwork can be displayed on a wall, shelf, console table, or easel.

Its soft colors and elegant composition complement both contemporary and traditional interiors. It makes a meaningful statement piece for living rooms, bedrooms, offices, galleries, and hospitality spaces.

An ideal choice for collectors of Japanese art, lovers of sustainable design, housewarming gifts, or anyone who appreciates objects with history and cultural significance.

Precaution

All artworks are created using authentic antique and vintage kimono textiles. As a result, fabrics may show subtle traces of age, wear, or minor imperfections acquired over decades of preservation and use.

Any significant marks or imperfections will always be shown in detail on the product page. Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing.

For information regarding returns, cancellations, and refunds, please refer to the refund policy provided in the footer section of the website.