Bright red and gold silk kimono bolster cushion featuring cranes and layered florals, crafted from vintage Japanese kimono silk

Red Kimono Bolster Pillow - Cranes Flowers with Lilac Velvet

£260.00
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Bright red and gold silk kimono bolster cushion featuring cranes and layered florals, crafted from vintage Japanese kimono silk
  • Bright red and gold silk kimono bolster cushion featuring cranes and layered florals, crafted from vintage Japanese kimono silk
  • Detail of embroidered peony motifs in red and blue over a metallic base, from a long kimono silk bolster cushion.
  • Close-up of embroidered pine and wisteria motifs from a vintage silk uchikake wedding kimono made into a long bolster cushion.
  • Red kimono silk bolster pillow with cranes and flowers embroidery, gold accents. Vintage Japanese uchukake kimono silk long pillow.
  • Reverse view of the long bolster cushion in a crushed lilac purple velvet.
  • Close-up of the embroidered cranes and woven flower motifs on a long silk bolster pillow made from vintage wedding kimono silk.
  • Flying crane in white embroidery over metallic base, detail of a long silk bolster pillow made from vintage Japanese kimono silk.
  • Bright red and gold silk kimono bolster cushion featuring cranes and layered florals, crafted from vintage Japanese kimono silk
  • Detail of embroidered peony motifs in red and blue over a metallic base, from a long kimono silk bolster cushion.
  • Close-up of embroidered pine and wisteria motifs from a vintage silk uchikake wedding kimono made into a long bolster cushion.
  • Red kimono silk bolster pillow with cranes and flowers embroidery, gold accents. Vintage Japanese uchukake kimono silk long pillow.
  • Reverse view of the long bolster cushion in a crushed lilac purple velvet.
  • Close-up of the embroidered cranes and woven flower motifs on a long silk bolster pillow made from vintage wedding kimono silk.
  • Flying crane in white embroidery over metallic base, detail of a long silk bolster pillow made from vintage Japanese kimono silk.
Red Kimono Bolster Pillow - Cranes Flowers with Lilac Velvet

Red Kimono Bolster Pillow - Cranes Flowers with Lilac Velvet

  • One of a kind
  • c.1970s vintage
  • Vermillion Uchikake bridal kimono silk
£260.00

Shipping calculated at checkout | 30 Day Returns

This long silk bolster cushion is cut from a c.1970s Japanese Uchikake bridal kimono. The ground is almost entirely vermillion, the silk at its most saturated and bold, with just a blush of pink at one end where the ombré begins its journey. A richly coloured base to a wealth of gilt and silk thread embroidery.

Cranes in full flight over peonies, wisteria, cherry blossom, pine and metallic gold bamboo. A pair of cranes symbolises a happy marriage. Fitting, for a textile that began its life as a wedding kimono.

Edition of one.
Details
  • Dimensions: 90cm x 29cm / 35.5" x 11.5" approx.
  • Vintage Textile: Bridal Uchikake kimono silk, vermillion ombré ground with cranes, peonies, wisteria, cherry blossom, pine and metallic gold bamboo
  • Reverse Textile: Lilac crushed velvet
  • Construction: Cotton lined with concealed zip at base for easy pad removal
  • Includes: Cover only. Insert not included
  • Edition: Edition of 1
  • Age: Mid-Shōwa period, c.1970s
Returns

If your piece isn’t right, you’re welcome to return it within 30 days of delivery for a refund.

To be eligible, returns should be:

• unused and in original condition

• in original packaging
 where possible
• accompanied by proof of purchase

• sent using a tracked service

To arrange a return, please contact us via our Contact Form with your order number.

For change-of-mind returns, the item cost and standard outbound shipping will be refunded. Return postage is the customer’s responsibility.

If your item arrives faulty or incorrect, all delivery costs will be refunded.

As returns remain your responsibility until received, we recommend using a fully insured tracked service.
Shipping

All pieces are carefully packaged and dispatched from our London studio (UK).
Orders are sent using tracked and insured services.

• Dispatch time: 1–2 business days

• UK delivery: 2–3 business days

• USA & Canada: 5–8 business days

• Australia & New Zealand: 6–8 business days

• Europe & Rest of World: 6–10 business days

Shipping rates are calculated at checkout.

US orders include duties and taxes.

Other international customers may be responsible for local customs charges.
Ethical Production

Each piece is handmade in our UK studio as part of a considered approach to making, using carefully sourced vintage Japanese silks.

• Genuine vintage kimono silks, including kimono, obi and uchikake textiles, dating from the 1930s onwards

• Sourced in Japan for their craftsmanship, character, and history

• Repurposed and reimagined for contemporary interiors

• Limited in number — once gone, it cannot be repeated

Each piece begins a new chapter for a textile that has already lived one life.

Packaging is fully recyclable, with materials chosen to reduce environmental impact wherever possible.
Care

Your vintage silk piece is made from delicate materials and should be handled with care:

• Keep away from direct sunlight to preserve colour

• Reshape gently after use to maintain form

• Store in a cool, dry place when not in use

• Do not machine wash or tumble dry

• Professional cleaning by a specialist is recommended

Made from authentic vintage Japanese silk, each piece may show gentle signs of age. This is part of its character and history.

What does the crane symbol on this piece mean?

Tsuru (鶴)

The crane motif represents longevity and good fortune in traditional Japanese textiles.

Cranes are believed to live for a thousand years and inhabit the land of the immortals.

Pairs of cranes represent a happy marriage and are often found on wedding kimono known as uchikake.
Crane motif on Japanese silk textile with gold woven background (Tsuru)
Peony flower motif on vintage Japanese silk textile (Botan)

What does the peony symbol on this piece mean?

Botan (牡丹)

The peony represents good fortune (wealth), high honour (nobility) and ageless beauty.

Known as the ‘King of the Flowers’.

Its lavish layered petals represent abundance, making it a cherished motif on celebratory kimono and formal Japanese textiles.

What does the cherry blossom symbol on this piece mean?

Sakura (桜)

The cherry blossom motif symbolises new beginnings.

With its distinctive notched petals, this flower blooms only briefly and is very fragile.

Also represents renewal in early spring, beauty and the transience of life.
Cherry blossom motif on vintage Japanese silk textile (Sakura)
Mid Showa period Japanese textile era, c.1950s–1960s, featured in Kimono Living vintage silk pieces

Mid-Shōwa Period

The Shōwa era spanned 1926 to 1989, its name meaning 'enlightened peace' — a period of extraordinary contrast, from wartime turbulence to postwar renaissance. Many of our textiles date from the heart of this era.

Uchikake: traditional Japanese bridal kimono textile used in Kimono Living silk cushions and throws

The Uchikake

The uchikake (打掛, "to drape over") is the most ceremonial of all Japanese garments, a heavily embroidered outer robe worn by the bride on her wedding day, representing the pinnacle of the silk weaver's art.

This piece is made from an uchikake, carrying with it the beauty and significance of one of Japan's most treasured traditions.

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