I'm happy to report that Kings Mums have sold their operation to a couple in Tulsa.
I wish them great success as I could hardly bear this year without cultuvating Kiku.
Four years I tried my luck at this art, only to find so many questions popping up.
This year you will be able to purchase starts at their same site
Kingsmums.com
It's an amazing art form.
I think back to my sweet stay in Nagaoka and the kimono show where I was draped with shibori ribbon pattern silk for kimono in black and white.
One of the things I shouldn't have gone without was that kimono and the incredible chrysanthemum obi they chose to go with it.
Sometimes I look on eBay but it's never there.
I have several furisode a. Wedding kimonos.
Both are shibori.
Shibori is tie dye.
One has roses. One has mums. One is lavender. One is red.
But of course the black and white twisted ribbon one will always have special significance
Due to making a wonderful friend at an art gallery where I had bowls of porcelain with black and white twisted ribbons.
As it happened I went to Japan and stayed at my friends family home and found this shibori in black and white at the kimono show at their restaurant.
We both learned then that it was an ancient Japanese pattern.
Perhaps all who become friends are destined to meet?
Some meetings seem to be good for the world.
Some not so good I think.
I guess we must be careful what we nurture. And how.
Just as we must consider if we will cultivate a Kiku
Or a relationship that may not be wise.
I say, when in doubt, mums the word!
