john cederquist: wood kosode

Kosode, which means ’small sleeve’ in Japanese, is the short-sleeved garment dating back to the 10th century that eventually developed into the modern kimono. Often made with silk, kosode were also fashioned from common fabrics of the period, such as hemp, ramie or linen.

Decidedly uncommon are the modern-day kosode that John Cederquist crafts from wood. Cederquist is well known for his trompe l’oeil cabinets and 3d cartoon-like furniture, managing to expertly integrate seemingly disparate inspiration such as historical Japanese paintings, Popeye and surfboarding. The artist is an illusionist and the kosode do not disappoint: These ornate robes open to reveal shelves and drawers – functional cabinets masquerading as art. Bravo!

Mixed woods, aniline dye
70″x 54″x 19″

More about kosode here, including instructions for making your own.