Maiko Kanzashi Set

Ha ha ha! I've finally finished them and photographed them! Last month the club announced a contest. The goal of which was to create an historical costume accessory using only materials that we had at home. So, I decided to make a set of maiko (apprentice geisha) kanzashi. This style of hair ornaments known as tsumami (folded flower) kanzashi was invented about 200 years ago. They are made from little squares of fabric which are folded and shaped into various flowers and plants. They have been worn by maiko for a great many years. You can see detailed information on how they were made at the following links:
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]

These ones are kaede - turning maple leaves - and are appropriate wear for a maiko during the month of November. In the past the Japanese culture has been highly concerned with seasonality in terms of attire. There are very specific motifs which are deemed appropriate for each season. The geisha subculture still follows this practice. They are considered the one sub-culture in the world that pays the most homage to the seasons. As part of this homage they change the type of flower/plant featured in their hair ornaments every month. The plant is meant to depict something of the current season - or anticipation of an upcoming season.

The Japanese also have specific styles of clothing, hair and makeup meant for different ages. The younger you are the more flambouyant and flashy you should be. As you get older you are expected to wear more subdued clothing. Maiko are typically young girls. In the passed they have been as young as seven, though now adays they are usually in their early teens. And as is the custom, the type of hair ornaments they wear also change according to the maiko's age and seniority. This set with the dangling falls would have been worn by a junior maiko. As she becomes more senior the falls shorten and eventually are no longer used. When she becomes a fully fledged geisha around the age of 20 she will leave this type of kanzashi in the past and exchange them for more elegant and subdued ones. You can see an example of a fully fledged geisha's look here: [link]

To show how these accessories translate into an historical costume, I've photographed myself dressed as a maiko. I tried to be accurate with the makeup and such, however I don't own everything to create a completely authentic maiko costume. The wig is more suited to a bride, or a fully fledged geisha rather than a maiko. And the kimono is actually a vintage wedding furisode.

Some interesting facts about this kanzashi set:
*327.25 inches of wire were used to create this set (that's 27.27 feet)
*66 3/4 inch squares of fabric were used
*as well as 306 1 inch squares
*for a total of 355.5 square inches of fabric (that's 29.625 feet)
*the fabric was hand dyed
*there are a total of 33 maple leaves appearing in this set
*the group took more than 20 hours to fashion.

BUDGET: $8 for two authentic maiko kanzashi pins ($4 each). I had all the other materials at home already.

If you've got an interest in kimono, geisha or Japanese crafts check out my club:

OTHER MAIKO KANZASHI SETS:
Winter
Ichiyuuki (First Snow) - [link]
Yuuki Onna (Snow Demon) - [link]
Ume (Plum Blossom) - [link]
Ume (Plum Blossom) - [link]
Matsu (Pine) - [link]

Spring
Sakura (Cherry Blossom) - [link]
Nanohana (Canola Blossom) - [link]
Fuji (Wisteria) - [link]

Summer
Ajisai (Hydrangea) - [link]

Autumn
Kiku (Chrysanthemum) - [link]
Kikyou (Chinese Bellflower) - [link]

Seasonless
Ryuu-sama (Dragon Lady) - [link]