I absolutely love the iconic wave design by Hokusai, the famous Japanese artist from the early 18th century.

I know you must know his print, ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa,’ with the stormy sea, the three small boats and Mt Fuji off in the distance. It’s everywhere! For a good reason. It’s magnificent.

It’s so loved it’s been reproduced onto everything, from post cards to tote bags, from socks to mugs, teeshirts to iPhone covers. Think of something, anything that you could sell in gift shop and it will have a Hokusai wave on it.

And, happily, that fantastic design has been woven into kimono silks.
For me, who goes crazy for a Hokusai Wave anything, a kimono silk woven with the great wave was a fabulous find. Gorgeous!

And, bonus, in gold and silver on black. Amazing!

I took apart the old kimono, rearranged the patterns so that the design would flow, then pieced it together and sewed little gold beads to suggest a spray of water.

A detail. Gold, silver and a tiny bit of a deep mahogany color.

The back.

There is a tiny bit of the fabric remaining, but not much. I used almost all of it.

It’s now off to its new home.

I have so many gorgeous kimono silks. They are a delight to use. So gorgeous. And each unique. The best thing? After one is done, I can move onto the next.

Watch this space for more.