Chirimen jewelry and accessories

Kimono cloth jewelry and accessories

While I do not anticipate most women outside of Japan to take to kimonos or even don one occasionally, what you can always try is some kimono jewelry designed by Yumi Chen. She introduces a new twist on the ancient art of "chirimen" -- crafts made with hand-woven Japanese cloth.

Although chirimen are fun and beautiful, crafting them is not easy: At the center of each bead is a lightweight core, around which Yumi delicately wraps a swath of Japanese kimono cloth. She meticulously trims excess fabric and carefully aligns all edges, to give every bead a uniform appearance. For Yumi, the process is a passion: "It's extremely labor-intensive, but I enjoy the creative work."

Yumi's inspiration came during a trip to Kyoto, where she discovered the ancient art of chirimen crafts. "I instantly fell in love with chirimen and began searching for books and supplies about the subject," Yumi said. She found beautiful kimono cloth patterns with imperial cherry blossom florals, mythical animals, and vintage Japanese motifs.

Photo of chirimen kimono jewelry designed by Yumi Chen.

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