Moonlight ~Calm~ (Kimono Upcycled) (2025) Original Mixed-media Painting by Lena Okamoto

Certified Kimono Meister work / Certificate of Authenticity included.
One-of-a-kind Japanese textile art made from vintage kimono fabrics.
Sustainable artwork for modern interiors, collectors, boutique hotels, and lovers of Japanese aesthetics.


[Size]
110 cm × 110 cm × 5 cm


[Materials]
vintage cotton on antique wood


[Story behind the work]
This artwork is created from a vintage Japanese furoshiki - a traditional wrapping cloth that once carried and protected precious belongings. Rather than wrapping objects, it now embraces the space around it, transforming a textile into a contemporary work of art.

I created this piece specifically with the bedroom - a place for rest, reflection, and quiet beginnings and endings.

The original furoshiki features cranes, turtles, and flowing karakusa 唐草 vines, all symbols of longevity, harmony, and continuous good fortune in Japanese culture. To soften the composition and evoke the calmness of a night sky, I added hand-applied ginpaku (silver leaf), forming gentle moons and scattered stars around the traditional motifs.

The silver elements are my own artistic intervention. They connect the timeless Japanese symbolism of cranes and turtles with the universal feeling of looking at the night sky before falling asleep - a quiet reminder to slow down, breathe, and dream.

Like many of my works, this artwork brings together tradition and contemporary expression. It preserves the craftsmanship of the original textile while allowing it to continue its story in a modern home.


[Period / Story]
Showa period to early Heisei period (mid-20th century to late 20th century) vintage furoshiki textile.


[Meaning of colors and patterns]
Cranes (鶴 Tsuru)
Symbols of longevity, peace, fidelity, and happiness. Cranes are among Japan's most auspicious motifs and are often associated with a long and harmonious life.

Turtles (亀 Kame)
Represent longevity, protection, wisdom, and stability. Together with cranes, they express wishes for enduring health and lifelong happiness.

Karakusa (唐草 Arabesque Vines)
The continuous vine pattern symbolizes growth, prosperity, resilience, and the unbroken connection between generations.

Moon
Hand-applied in silver leaf by the artist, the moon represents calmness, renewal, and the gentle rhythm of passing time.

Stars
Also added by the artist in silver leaf, the stars evoke hope, dreams, and the peaceful stillness of the night sky.

Deep Indigo Blue
A traditional Japanese color associated with serenity, depth, and quiet contemplation. It enhances the meditative atmosphere of the artwork.


[Characteristics of the fabric]
Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths used for centuries to carry gifts and treasured possessions. Beyond their practical function, many were created with beautifully dyed or printed auspicious motifs, reflecting the Japanese belief that beauty should accompany everyday life.

The textile used in this artwork preserves these traditional patterns while allowing them to exist in a new contemporary context.


[Decoration Advice]
Created with bedrooms and other quiet living spaces in mind, this artwork brings a sense of calm and balance to contemporary interiors. The deep indigo background and silver leaf subtly change with the light throughout the day, creating a gentle presence without overwhelming the space. It also works beautifully in meditation rooms, entrance halls, boutique hotels, or minimalist interiors seeking a connection to Japanese aesthetics.


[Precaution]
All artworks are created from authentic vintage and antique kimono textiles. Due to their age and history of use, minor imperfections or traces of wear may be present.

Materials used:

silk (outside-layer) , paulownia (wooden frame)

Details:

• Mixed-media painting on Furniture
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 110 x 110 x 5cm (framed)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed certificate of authenticity
• Style: Geometric
• Subject: Abstract and non-figurative