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Festival & Event Kanzashi

Many, if not all kanzashi can be attributed to a traditional Japanese motif or in the case of this section attributed for use during a particular festival, holiday, or event.  Many carry similar themes from the seasonal hana kanzashi, but others are more unique.

More kanzashi will be coming to this section soon. Please be patient :) .

 

Bright Festival Kanzashi

Bright Fuchsia Festival Kanzashi
artist/photographer:
amaebi79



Bright Colored Flowers -

While not a specialized kanzashi, you will often see brightly colored kanzashi being worn by festival participants and on lookers that celebrate the joy of new growth in Spring and the freedom of Summer.

Often, the colors featured in these kanzashi are much much brighter than usual, that rather than mimicking the colors found in nature, take the look of very vibrant shocking coloring, thus the special mention.

The flowers in these type usually do not resemble a certain type of flower and take on a more  generalized look.


Kusudama Kanzashi

Kusudama with Four Alternating Colors
Kanzashi
artist/photographer:
amaebi79


Kusudama Kanzashi -

A cheerful kanzashi that is supposed to resemble a decorative paper ball toy that was popular during earlier eras. Usually they are quite colorful and have a small dangling tassel attached.

Although similar in the look of the pinwheel, it is different in that it is a complete little ball with Tsumami fabric technique encompassing it's out layer, rather than a flat backed spiral.

Mostly seen being worn during  the
Setsubun festival and occasionally worn during the month of February.



Pinwheel Kanzashi

Pinwheel with Two Tone Coloring Kanzashi
artist/photographer:
amaebi79


Pinwheel Kanzashi -

The pinwheel kanzashi is mostly seen during the summer festivals and months, as that is when the pinwheel gets to feel the cooling burst of wind to cool down from the heat and display it's wonderful colors. Usually, the pinwheel kanzashi is worn as one large single, but sometimes as a small group.

Most pinwheel kanzashi will feature a spiraling design of various colors with each of the fabric petals, representing the pin points, have a sharp folded edge instead of the typical rounded flower petal design. The look is finished off with a large center focal point to mimic the look of a real pinwheel.

Formal Event / Coming Of Age Kanzashi

Formal Event  / Coming Of Age Kanzashi
photographer: ChissPrincess


Event / Coming Of Age Kanzashi -

You will see kanzashi similar to this design being worn for formal occasions by girls donned in furisode, the most formal kimono for unmarried women.

When girls in Japan turn 20, that year during the second Monday of January, they celebrate the Coming Of Age ceremony declaring them as an adult. For such an occasion they wear very elaborate kimono and accessories.

As you can see on the left, the level of detail in the kanzashi marks it as highly formal and the color scheme and flowers shows that it is most likely for a young woman for use in winter.

Formal Event / Coming Of Age Kanzashi

Formal Event  / Coming Of Age Kanzashi
photographer: ChissPrincess


Event / Coming Of Age Kanzashi -

You will see kanzashi similar to this design being worn for formal occasions by girls donned in furisode, the most formal kimono for unmarried women.

As you can see on the left, much like the previous event kanzashi this is more formal, but due to the purple and green colorings could also be seen in use during the Spring time.

Although, due to less detail, this flower could also be used by more mature women as it has less detail and isn't a large as typical Coming of Age kanzashi styles.

Firework Kanzashi

Firework Kanzashi
photographer: ChissPrincess


Firework Kanzashi -

The firework kanzashi is seen during the Summertime, particularly in the month of July, as that is when major festivals such as the Gion festival take place as well as other nighttime fun.

The design of a firework kanzashi always consists of an explosion pattern of shiny bright fabric with jewel like centers or an explosion similar in style to the pampas grass kanzashi.

Due to the fun nature of this kanzashi you will often see it being worn with yakuta kimonos, as these informal kimonos are also worn frequently during the Summertime festivals.

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