We can finally feel the spring season as we look at the cherry blossoms, which have been a little late since the cold weather continued through March.
We introduced upcycled Shingen Bukuro & Sukiya Bukuro from 100 years old vintage Chirimen in the previous blog.
The vivid patterns, colours and texture of the cloth made me impressed again by the good conditions in which they were kept, and I can imagine all sorts of things about what kind of dressing up they would have enjoyed 100 years ago.
We also went through a lot of trial and error regarding the size of the drawstring. It took several prototypes to find the optimum size, neither too big nor too small.
This drawstring is 24 cm (H) x 19 cm (W) x 3 cm (D).
The drawstring closes neatly with a knotted string, a feature that makes it easy to use, but it is difficult to use if it is too deep, and if it is too small, it loses its storage capacity, so it was produced while repeatedly checking how it would actually feel in use.
The fun and pleasure of upcycling is that you can add ideas to your upcycled work that you can't find in ready-made products, and for this drawstring, I added a little slit on both sides of the opening. In fact, the slits make a big difference to the usability!
Not only does this make it easier to see what's inside, it also adds to the ease of access.
Considering the time period of 100 years ago, it is of course a classic pattern, but looking at it again now, it has a timeless sense and appearance that is rather ahead of its day.
Today, everything is more convenient as long as you have your smartphone, a universal gadget, but why not put that cutting-edge item into a 100-year brocade crepe (Chrimen) Kinchaku bag and go out while enjoying the gap in time?
A short handle (made of the same fabric) is attached so that it can be conveniently carried as it is or used as a compartment in a bag.
By the way, the drawstring type is also recommended as an easy-to-use "Goshuincho" holder!