Fire Rabbit
@friendlyfirerabbit.bsky.social
Katazome artist.
I study traditional Japanese crafts.
I study traditional Japanese crafts.
Indigo Adventures, Pt 1: Double Sided vs Single Sided Indigo Katazome
Since the weather has gotten warmer and drier, I've had the opportunity to do further experiments on the best…
https://firerabbitstudio.com/2025/08/18/indigo-adventures-pt-1-double-sided-vs-single-sided-indigo-katazome/
Since the weather has gotten warmer and drier, I've had the opportunity to do further experiments on the best…
https://firerabbitstudio.com/2025/08/18/indigo-adventures-pt-1-double-sided-vs-single-sided-indigo-katazome/
August 19, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Indigo Adventures, Pt 1: Double Sided vs Single Sided Indigo Katazome
Since the weather has gotten warmer and drier, I've had the opportunity to do further experiments on the best…
https://firerabbitstudio.com/2025/08/18/indigo-adventures-pt-1-double-sided-vs-single-sided-indigo-katazome/
Since the weather has gotten warmer and drier, I've had the opportunity to do further experiments on the best…
https://firerabbitstudio.com/2025/08/18/indigo-adventures-pt-1-double-sided-vs-single-sided-indigo-katazome/
[ 桔梗] Bellflower
This stencil depicts chinese bellflower, or ききょう(桔梗) in Japanese. Kikyo bloom from June to September in Japan, but they're usually associated with autumn imagery.
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/16/%e6%a1%94%e6%a2%97-bellflower/
This stencil depicts chinese bellflower, or ききょう(桔梗) in Japanese. Kikyo bloom from June to September in Japan, but they're usually associated with autumn imagery.
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/16/%e6%a1%94%e6%a2%97-bellflower/
April 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
[ 桔梗] Bellflower
This stencil depicts chinese bellflower, or ききょう(桔梗) in Japanese. Kikyo bloom from June to September in Japan, but they're usually associated with autumn imagery.
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/16/%e6%a1%94%e6%a2%97-bellflower/
This stencil depicts chinese bellflower, or ききょう(桔梗) in Japanese. Kikyo bloom from June to September in Japan, but they're usually associated with autumn imagery.
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/16/%e6%a1%94%e6%a2%97-bellflower/
[桜と松皮菱紋(まつかわびし）] Sakura and Matsukawabishi (Pine Bark Diamonds)
This intricate stencil…
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/12/%e6%a1%9c%e3%81%a8%e6%9d%be%e7%9a%ae%e8%8f%b1%e7%b4%8b%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8f%e3%81%b3%e3%81%97%ef%bc%89-sakura-and-matsukawabishi-pine-bark-diamonds/
This intricate stencil…
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/12/%e6%a1%9c%e3%81%a8%e6%9d%be%e7%9a%ae%e8%8f%b1%e7%b4%8b%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8f%e3%81%b3%e3%81%97%ef%bc%89-sakura-and-matsukawabishi-pine-bark-diamonds/
April 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
[桜と松皮菱紋(まつかわびし）] Sakura and Matsukawabishi (Pine Bark Diamonds)
This intricate stencil…
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/12/%e6%a1%9c%e3%81%a8%e6%9d%be%e7%9a%ae%e8%8f%b1%e7%b4%8b%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8f%e3%81%b3%e3%81%97%ef%bc%89-sakura-and-matsukawabishi-pine-bark-diamonds/
This intricate stencil…
https://friendlyfirerabbit.com/2025/04/12/%e6%a1%9c%e3%81%a8%e6%9d%be%e7%9a%ae%e8%8f%b1%e7%b4%8b%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%81%8b%e3%82%8f%e3%81%b3%e3%81%97%ef%bc%89-sakura-and-matsukawabishi-pine-bark-diamonds/
Here is a pattern that looks like lace, but with a Japanese twist of hexagons and perhaps chrysanthemums.
It's mended with thread, though I'm not sure how well a repair like that would work for katazome. It might only work for surizome.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/59wr
It's mended with thread, though I'm not sure how well a repair like that would work for katazome. It might only work for surizome.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/59wr
April 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Here is a pattern that looks like lace, but with a Japanese twist of hexagons and perhaps chrysanthemums.
It's mended with thread, though I'm not sure how well a repair like that would work for katazome. It might only work for surizome.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/59wr
It's mended with thread, though I'm not sure how well a repair like that would work for katazome. It might only work for surizome.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/59wr
This stencil features sakura blooms scattered on the grass. It was probably used for ink surizome, judging by the ink left on the front. It is cut without thread reinforcement.
full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/ufyg
full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/ufyg
April 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This stencil features sakura blooms scattered on the grass. It was probably used for ink surizome, judging by the ink left on the front. It is cut without thread reinforcement.
full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/ufyg
full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/ufyg
Another spring themed stencil. This stencil features chickens and bamboo leaves, complete with a rooster, hen, and baby chicks. It uses the sewn-in thread technique for stabilization, and has remnants of black ink on one side.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/20eq
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/20eq
April 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Another spring themed stencil. This stencil features chickens and bamboo leaves, complete with a rooster, hen, and baby chicks. It uses the sewn-in thread technique for stabilization, and has remnants of black ink on one side.
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/20eq
Full resolution at friendlyfirerabbit.com/20eq
Just in time for the festivals, this stencil features realistically carved sakura alongside dew covered (or maybe bug eaten?) maples leaves. There is no thread reinforcement on this stencil, just intelligent carving design.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/payz
friendlyfirerabbit.com/payz
April 7, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Just in time for the festivals, this stencil features realistically carved sakura alongside dew covered (or maybe bug eaten?) maples leaves. There is no thread reinforcement on this stencil, just intelligent carving design.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/payz
friendlyfirerabbit.com/payz
This stencil features rolling tomoe “wheels” surrounded by nadeshiko flowers. It uses the ito-ire technique and is oversized from the typical garment stencils.
Full resolution can be viewed at:
friendlyfirerabbit.com/k47n
Full resolution can be viewed at:
friendlyfirerabbit.com/k47n
April 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This stencil features rolling tomoe “wheels” surrounded by nadeshiko flowers. It uses the ito-ire technique and is oversized from the typical garment stencils.
Full resolution can be viewed at:
friendlyfirerabbit.com/k47n
Full resolution can be viewed at:
friendlyfirerabbit.com/k47n
This particular design is a very lucky design, with two different symbols for prosperity and good fortune, bats and wells, drawn many times.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/ru5x
friendlyfirerabbit.com/ru5x
April 4, 2025 at 4:56 AM
This particular design is a very lucky design, with two different symbols for prosperity and good fortune, bats and wells, drawn many times.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/ru5x
friendlyfirerabbit.com/ru5x
This stencil features a rare motif of horses, probably for a boy or man's kimono. Although somewhat moth eaten, the design is undisturbed. This stencil uses sewn-in thread and was probably used for surizome.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/fh51
friendlyfirerabbit.com/fh51
April 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This stencil features a rare motif of horses, probably for a boy or man's kimono. Although somewhat moth eaten, the design is undisturbed. This stencil uses sewn-in thread and was probably used for surizome.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/fh51
friendlyfirerabbit.com/fh51
This stencil features four plants from four different seasons: Plum blossoms for spring, persimmons for winter, chrysanthemums for fall, and peonies for summer. Motifs such as this allow the garment to be worn for more seasons.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/20xz
friendlyfirerabbit.com/20xz
April 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This stencil features four plants from four different seasons: Plum blossoms for spring, persimmons for winter, chrysanthemums for fall, and peonies for summer. Motifs such as this allow the garment to be worn for more seasons.
friendlyfirerabbit.com/20xz
friendlyfirerabbit.com/20xz
Shi shi lions often guard temples and entrances. This stencil features a lion depicted with peonies, a common pairing; a prestigious flower with a prestigious animal.
I add a stencil everyday at friendlyfirerabbit.com/katagami/
I add a stencil everyday at friendlyfirerabbit.com/katagami/
March 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Shi shi lions often guard temples and entrances. This stencil features a lion depicted with peonies, a common pairing; a prestigious flower with a prestigious animal.
I add a stencil everyday at friendlyfirerabbit.com/katagami/
I add a stencil everyday at friendlyfirerabbit.com/katagami/
Camellia is a popular fall and early winter flower in Japanese motifs. This stencil features both camellia and another flower I can't identify.
This stencil was used for surizome, and it either had a blue pigment or indigo used for its colorant.
This stencil was used for surizome, and it either had a blue pigment or indigo used for its colorant.
March 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Camellia is a popular fall and early winter flower in Japanese motifs. This stencil features both camellia and another flower I can't identify.
This stencil was used for surizome, and it either had a blue pigment or indigo used for its colorant.
This stencil was used for surizome, and it either had a blue pigment or indigo used for its colorant.
Today's stencil is tigers and bamboo, a classic motif. Tigers represent strength, and bamboo represents gentle resilience. But a tiger in a bamboo is special because it is one of the few animals that can navigate the thick forest of bamboo stalks.
March 29, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Today's stencil is tigers and bamboo, a classic motif. Tigers represent strength, and bamboo represents gentle resilience. But a tiger in a bamboo is special because it is one of the few animals that can navigate the thick forest of bamboo stalks.
This is a charming stencil of what I suspect is a crow on a nondescript branch.
This stencil also uses a thread laying technique I've never seen before where holes are made in the stencil itself and the thread is pulled through them.
This stencil also uses a thread laying technique I've never seen before where holes are made in the stencil itself and the thread is pulled through them.
March 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This is a charming stencil of what I suspect is a crow on a nondescript branch.
This stencil also uses a thread laying technique I've never seen before where holes are made in the stencil itself and the thread is pulled through them.
This stencil also uses a thread laying technique I've never seen before where holes are made in the stencil itself and the thread is pulled through them.
This stencil features katabami [片喰紋]. Katabami is a type of oxalis plant, and are seen as a symbol of vitality, as they don’t die even if they are stepped on.
There's also a charming sewn in thread repair on one of the lower sorrel leaves.
There's also a charming sewn in thread repair on one of the lower sorrel leaves.
March 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This stencil features katabami [片喰紋]. Katabami is a type of oxalis plant, and are seen as a symbol of vitality, as they don’t die even if they are stepped on.
There's also a charming sewn in thread repair on one of the lower sorrel leaves.
There's also a charming sewn in thread repair on one of the lower sorrel leaves.
Trying out katazome style stencil techniques on pottery.
March 19, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Trying out katazome style stencil techniques on pottery.
Wanted to throw a tokkuri tonight but only managed a weird inkwell, and three arches of shame.
I think my hands aren’t strong enough to throw big yet.
Managed a pretty tall and consistent cylinder though!
I think my hands aren’t strong enough to throw big yet.
Managed a pretty tall and consistent cylinder though!
February 12, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Wanted to throw a tokkuri tonight but only managed a weird inkwell, and three arches of shame.
I think my hands aren’t strong enough to throw big yet.
Managed a pretty tall and consistent cylinder though!
I think my hands aren’t strong enough to throw big yet.
Managed a pretty tall and consistent cylinder though!
Absolute worst part of sewing unlined pants.
February 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Absolute worst part of sewing unlined pants.
I think I like this underlining technique quite a bit. It simulates nakatoji along the long body hemlines without needing the hand sewing.
It’s a lot of fussing with the pins but the result drapes beautifully.
#funaday
It’s a lot of fussing with the pins but the result drapes beautifully.
#funaday
January 30, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I think I like this underlining technique quite a bit. It simulates nakatoji along the long body hemlines without needing the hand sewing.
It’s a lot of fussing with the pins but the result drapes beautifully.
#funaday
It’s a lot of fussing with the pins but the result drapes beautifully.
#funaday
I’ve been traveling the past few days but I picked up some vintage saris locally to mimic suzushi silk and I’ve been working on getting the napthalene odor out of them.
So far dilute isopropyl works the best. I may need to take them to the dry cleaners for access to better solvents.
#funaday
So far dilute isopropyl works the best. I may need to take them to the dry cleaners for access to better solvents.
#funaday
January 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I’ve been traveling the past few days but I picked up some vintage saris locally to mimic suzushi silk and I’ve been working on getting the napthalene odor out of them.
So far dilute isopropyl works the best. I may need to take them to the dry cleaners for access to better solvents.
#funaday
So far dilute isopropyl works the best. I may need to take them to the dry cleaners for access to better solvents.
#funaday
Piecing is done! Because this kosode is torn down the weft, I’m going to try constructing it with underlining. I probably won’t make much more progress on it until Tuesday.
I found the 12 momme habotai sews much more easily with the straight stitch plate and foot.
#funaday #funadaypgh
I found the 12 momme habotai sews much more easily with the straight stitch plate and foot.
#funaday #funadaypgh
January 24, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Piecing is done! Because this kosode is torn down the weft, I’m going to try constructing it with underlining. I probably won’t make much more progress on it until Tuesday.
I found the 12 momme habotai sews much more easily with the straight stitch plate and foot.
#funaday #funadaypgh
I found the 12 momme habotai sews much more easily with the straight stitch plate and foot.
#funaday #funadaypgh
The next kosode/小袖 is ripped. All I had left was a tiny sliver of striped pink. I’ll be trying underlining with this one to see how that mimics toji/綴じ.
January 21, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The next kosode/小袖 is ripped. All I had left was a tiny sliver of striped pink. I’ll be trying underlining with this one to see how that mimics toji/綴じ.