gurdymonkey: (Default)
gurdymonkey ([personal profile] gurdymonkey) wrote2007-09-11 09:31 pm

New project

I had almost forgotten about this genius idea I had back in April. Almost. Then I remembered it a day or two ago.

I spent this afternoon after work turning 1/32" x 3" x 24" basswood strips into 1/32" x 5/8" x 16" strips. I ended up with about 55. I may pick up a couple of more basswood slats tomorrow just to make sure I have enough, because you KNOW I'll split a couple when I start piercing them for threading. I learned my lesson on the one I made for Twelfth Night - take the time and pierce each one separately with an awl instead of trying to clamp them all together and use a drill. The darn things skated apart under pressure and I ended up with uneven holes. 

Japan's Miho Museum has an extant hiogi dating from the 14-15th century or so. Details show that it was decorated with glitter and that the pivot joint was made of knotted silk. If I get pressed for time and end up not painting it, well, unpainted hiogi were for men - and are still used ceremonially by Shinto clerics.

In semi-related news, one of the guys at work has an Asian pear tree in his back yard. I brought home a few of the less ripe ones he brought in and tucked them in the veggie crisper in my fridge. I'm thinking slices arranged to represent a chrysanthemum would make a pretty dish for the party at the House Of Cheerful Monkeys.
ext_51796: (fan_by_kc_anathema)

[identity profile] reynardine.livejournal.com 2007-09-12 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
How neat! I can't wait to see the results!

[identity profile] gurdymonkey.livejournal.com 2007-09-12 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I whacked one out for Twelfth Night that has some problems. This is a good excuse to make a better one.