Kuukou Folding Wristlet Clutch 3601D

Our best selling clutch, hand made from vintage kimono: use as a stylish travel accessory, as it can accommodate a few passports, or a functional 'throw in and go' folding clutch to hold a few essentials on a night out. 

A collection of popular Japanese design motifs adorn this fabric, including 'ume' blossom, ‘fuji’, 'botan', ‘ayame’ and ‘tsubaki’ flowers, and the Guruma wheel.   Botan, the peony is called 'king of flowers' in Japan.  

Fuji, wisteria, signifies love, support, sensitivity and tenderness.

Ayame, iris, is widely admired in Japan. It is a sign of strength and the sword 

shaped leaves are symbols of warriors in the past. 

Tsubaki, the camellia flower, was historically part of the Japanese wedding tea ceremony, symbolising life and promise.

Ume, the Plum Blossom is a very popular symbol on fabrics. It is a favourite within the range of Japanese designs: it’s beauty and fragrance has been reflected in many poems. It is the first of the year to bloom, and therefore represents endurance. It became a symbol of good fortune, as is used for New Year decorations. 

A popular kimono pattern since the Heian era 794 to1185 AD, Gengji Guruma, is an Heian oxcart that was linked with the wheel of Karma in the Buddhist Tale of Genji. 

The pattern is printed on a rinzu silk, a damask silk woven with a pattern of nami, waves, to give extra texture to the kimono fabric.  The design is further enhanced by gold printed areas.

This vintage kimono was sourced from the Osaka area of Japan.  It is approximately 20-30 years old.

Handmade by self help groups in Cambodia.

Dimensions: 24cm x 13cm