How to find Kimono in Tokyo

Kimono and boots trip in Europe

2012-01-01T12:22:00.072+09:00

With facebook friends' advice, I walked around cities in kimono and boots.

In London, as well as a wool cap. It was cold and cloud over...

In Rome. Orange shawl over haori was perfect to protect from cold and pickpockets.

In Genoa. I wore my uncle's haori.　My grandmother sewed to her son about 50 years ago but no one has ever worn, and both were passed away already. It was fond last autumn as just a brand-new. so I wore it! It's nicely warm.

I showed the Mediterranean sea to my new shibori obi, Higashi-san made for this kimono. Kimono was renewed by Lyuta . The color red was really a good match to the ocean, I believe.

Kimono Year-end Party!

2011-12-21T17:03:00.001+09:00

We, Tokyo kimono club had a kitsuke session in my house.

Telling each other how each of us wear kimono is a great fun and useful.

She is showing us her secret for loosing datejime belt on the stage (stairs).

We all set!
And then a party!!

Japanese traditional karinto fried dough and Duch traditional sweet joined the party.

This is my handmade. Tofu cream on a chocolate cake!

Reversible obi sash is the best for travels

2011-12-17T19:11:00.022+09:00

Do you know how to tie-dye? I didn't and now I know!

Tie

Die

and Dry

And then, sew brown cloth and green cloth in one.

Green side, brown side and a core for obi sash

Brown side is for the red kimono.

Green side is for my orange base calico sarasa kimono. Mission is completed. Do I and my red kimono look nice?

It's exciting to design my own obi sash!

2011-12-15T20:21:00.002+09:00

I plan to wear my red komon and orange based calico sarasa kimonos on my travel to the Mediterranean. If it is overseas at sea, I don't need to be tied by Japanese old custom that matured women should wear quiet colors! (right?)

Both asanoha komon and sarasa have intricate motifs so obi sash should be simple and has a large pattern.

How about snow flake yukiwa on hemp leaves asanoha and arabesque karakusa on calico?
Higashi-san agreed to make shibori obi sashes with these patterns. Hyahhow (=Japanese wow ), how exciting! (to be continued...)

snowflake yukiwa (left) hemp leaves asanoha (right)

arabesque karakusa (left) calico sarasa (right)

How to wear red for my age

2011-12-13T19:37:00.004+09:00

I like to wear red and pink. Actually I liked. Recently I feel guilty wearing these good-for-young colors. But how do I do for this red asanoha komon kimono? I can't dump it...Still I want to wear it!

Me about 5 years ago in red komon

Lyuta suggested me to change its red hakkake lyner to dark-brown. Higashi promised me to make nice obi sash for this red kimono. Please see his beautiful shibori tie-dyeing work for his tea master. If he would make me a cool obi sash only for me....(to be continued)

Tokyo is hot (muggy) and safe.

2011-09-05T22:42:00.002+09:00

We think foreigners visit current Japan are so brave. So we welcomed her from the bottom of our heart. As much as we could.

We cooked

One of us danced,

And enjoyed muggy and hot night with her.

Berber!

Please come back to us again. Hopefully soon. Since Tokyo is safe. right?

How to get a sexy kimono appearance from behind

2010-12-06T18:41:00.003+09:00

I read a book of Tamao Nakamura, who has been an actress over 50 years. She also married with a famous samurai movie star and director Shintaro Katsu until he died.

In her kimono book, she gave us tips of how to wear kimono sexy, as she showed on a TV advertising. Please see the movie from here. (Sorry, sipping noodle is Japanese traditional manner. Please do like this when you come to Japan.)

She suggested that when we wear kimono, we must adjust kimono center straight on our backbone. But under the waist, it is better to slide the kimono center 4-5cm (1-2 inches) to the left or right whichever we like. If we do like this, the kimono buttocks back shot becomes three-dimensional and looks sexy.

Really? I have never heard of this. Will try next time.

For your reference. Another kimono books with many photos.

International Kitsuke Session

2010-11-17T18:26:00.029+09:00

For kitsuke session at my house, a Slovenian woman magazine writer Nika attended.

First, she tried my pink tsumugi.
Although she was slightly bigger than me, it seemed kimono size was fine!

And then she interviewed another attendees about kimonos in their everyday life. How they got kimonos etc.

It is great pleasure for us telling about kimono abroad. I am sure Nika would write nice article about kimono!

International Kimono Meeting 2

2010-10-30T18:00:00.097+09:00

We visited a kimono rich house. She opened her, her mother's and her grandmother's tansu dresser to show kimonos handed down through the generations to us, two British and one Japanese, me.

This type of traditional Japanese house, tatami mats covers all floors and fluorescent white lights at the ceiling are decreasing. It is special opportunity to visit this type of Japanese house (for me also)

After the visit, international kimono meeting again!

Photo by Lyuta

Soon the meeting became kitsuke kimono wearing session.

This stripe kimono Maggie wore was so called kimono shitagi which wore under hikizuri kimono. It might be a geisha costume. I saw this type of kimono for the first time!

International kimono meeting 1

2010-09-27T22:22:00.056+09:00

After Berber from ｔhe Netherlands and I went to kabuki costumes exhibition,

For this exhibition's details, please see here

we had a first international kimono meeting at Japanese dinner!

We met Kimono Magic for the first time. Kimono dressmaker Lyuta made us to meet. Thank you! These blond kimono ladies have 200 kimonos each. I, black hair only have 20... How they find storage space???

Sushi and kimono on my birthday

2010-09-03T22:26:00.053+09:00

Encouraged by Rie, I wore kimono for the first time for this summer. Well, it becomes September, but still it is summer in Tokyo.

I wore asa hemp kimono and Hakata hanhaba (half width) obi sash since it was my birthday and we went out for sushi restaurant!

I tie my hanhaba with the way which seems like otaiko musubi (formal form). I recently found how to tie like this in a book and really like this obi musubi since it is easy and looks authentic.

(On the photo, the edge of otaoiko is rolling up...mmm)

Since I was crazy for eating sushi, I forgot to take a photo of sushi and kimono of this night! Below is another sushi and kimono. But it was last winter. Winter is the best season for both sushi and kimono.

How to protect your body from summer heat

2010-08-31T22:24:00.005+09:00

This summer, because of record-breaking heat wave, I couldn't wear kimono at all. Instead, I wore a fan(s) shirt which send wind to your back directly and cool off.

If you would like to see details, click here. On the right shoulder of the page, you will find "see in English" link.

It is a good idea to remove fans from the shirt and put these fans inside of obi. Since they are removable and the shirt is washable. You also need to connect battery box to fans but it is small enough to insert obi.

I did so last summer, since it was only around 30 Celsius, but this year, the temperature almost hit 40C ( 100F)...omb! (Oh my Buddha!)

But my kimono mate Rie was different. she said she wore kimonos in this summer for her health, since kimono protect her from artificial air-conditioning. She must be right. I will wear kimono next summer, for sure, if it is not so hot...

How she looked cool! in Akagi tsumugi with specially twisted weaving and Yaeyama ramie sash. Both were light, thin and cool.

She tightened her white wearing with nasukon eggplant-like deep blue. This is cool, too.

Learn from a kimono senior

2010-05-14T14:17:00.002+09:00

To our kimono kitsuke club, a special guest came. Mrs. Arita, who has lived near my house over a half century and loves kimono.

Although she didn't wear kimono because of her injury at a leg, she helped our wearing and gave us lots of tips of kimono coordination and seasonality. It is always fun to listen how seniors did.

Next kitsuke club will be held at her house. There is a beautiful tatami Japanese room with a fireplace for tea ceremony. Japanese embroidery hanging scrolls she hand-sewed are on the wall. We can't wait to see her kimono and obi collections!

Let's become a kimono savvy

2010-04-24T07:00:00.058+09:00

I assisted a kimono lecture for interpreter guides who would like to explain more about kimonos to foreign tourists. Lecturer Satoko, whose mother is also a kimono lecturer, wore special sibori tye-dyeing kimono from her local town (I forgot the name but it was so beautiful!)

Audiences were quietly and seriously listening (this is typical Japanese manner) during the lecture part; kimono category, kaku status and history. However, when the question and answer session started, they were completely changed. Some of them brought uncertain origin kimonos and obis from their grand mothers. What these motifs are? Can I wear this, when and how? Is this OK for my age? How can I coordinate these???

On next lecture in June, we will make longer this family's old kimono part. To see old kimonos and feel their family history was so exciting for me, too.

Furoshiki Cloth Wrapping Magic Performance

2010-04-07T06:32:00.023+09:00

My kitsuke mate Rie, who is awarded Furoshiki cloth performer, played at international goodwill party so I attended the party as one of her supporters.
International guests were so amazed to see she wrapped everything with just a square cloth.
From a succor ball to a pair of wine bottles and books, furoshiki cloth made them easy to carry.

Sakura is not pink but #fef4f4

2010-04-01T16:33:00.000+09:00

Yes it's sakura season again so I wear pink. However, when I checked Traditional Japanese Color Names, I found there is sakura color #fef4f4 and pale sakura color, #fdeff2. I realized these sakura colors are much lighter than western pink.
These days, when we say "sakura pink," we image heavier pink than real sakura flowers. Interesting!

Kitsuke party is fun!

2010-03-15T15:56:00.028+09:00

From a totally beginner to seniors who can come in kimono, we enjoyed kitsuke party. We just take off or put on kimonos as our own pace but why it is so enjoyable?
May be because there are various How To Wear Kimono. It is fun and we can get lots of findings from just showing one's tips each other.

Next session will be held on April 12th. Let's enjoy kimono!

If your hair reach your collar bone,

2010-03-13T16:05:00.001+09:00

If your hair reach your collar bone, you can hair up nihon gami Japanese traditional hairstyle.
Someno-san who is a rare successor of Japanese traditional hairstyle told me. Why don't you try it?

She used to work in Ginza with high salary. However, because she believes this traditional hair style is the most suitable for kimono, she made up her mind to quit her job and became an apprentice of the master in Kyoto. Her story to become a professional hair stylist and antique kimono collector was like an adventure story!

Japanese traditional brides hairdo Someno-made. How beautiful!

I interviewed her for an English magazine Tokyo Journal. But the publisher decided to postpone next publishing...how sad...Instead of Tokyo Journal, I introduce her hairstyling on this blog because I was so impressed her story. Thank you Someno-san. Anyone who is interested in doing nihongami traditional hairstyle and if your hair reach your collar bone, please contact us!

Oiran is the most popular in Asakusa

2010-03-10T22:18:00.037+09:00

When I interviewed a photo studio owner in Asakusa, she confidently answered the most popular costume her customers requested were Oiran. Since Asakusa was closed to oiran's hometown.

For those who don't know oiran, I say oiran was top-ranked sales woman in Edo era. What she sold? I think she sold her time to put on and pull off layered kimonos. It must take loooong and her time charge jumped up!

However, when you go to Asakusa, you can be oiran in 30 min!

I interviewed her for an English magazine Tokyo Journal. But the publisher decided to postpone next publishing...how sad...Instead of Tokyo Journal, I introduce her photo studio on this blog because the owner made tons of efforts for my interview and taking photos. Thank you Ogawa-san, and anyone who is interested in being taken photos as oiran, please contact us! )

I found kitsuke was good exercise

2010-02-21T17:17:00.000+09:00

Next Tokyo kimono kitsuke club will be held on March 15th Monday. English, Chinese and Japanese languages will be available.
Last time, we tied Nagoya, fukuro and hanhaba obi sashes and tried odori dance pause!

Kimono Kitsuke Club 1 What I wear under nagajuban

2010-02-14T16:11:00.003+09:00

Finally, I will open kimono kitsuke club on next Monday. 5 people will join. From daily kimono wearer to a beginner. We show how we wear kimono each other and exchange own kimono kitsuke tips. It must be a big fun.
As for their reference, I show what I wear under nagajuban.

1. two pieces of ordinary under wears (western style)

If you have a gorgeous body, tubetop may be better. (this is just a guess because I don't have such a body)

2. Ashibe juban

This is a bit expensive but very good for soaking up sweat and add thickness around a chest. I wear this throughout a year.

3.Suteteko long johns

I wear cotton linen one for summer, wool for winter instead of susoyoke.

4. Sodo hip pad
This also add thickness around the weist.

As you may know, because kimono is made from stitching rectangular pieces of cloth together in straight in lines, and there are no darts and no tucks, it is better to make your body as flat as possible before you put kimono. In Japanese it is hosei revision. but how can I say in English? How about this? Make your coca-cola body to a stock pan!

Is this a dance or a kitsuke?

2010-01-20T22:21:00.007+09:00

I have never seen this type of performance...How deep kimono world is... but it is interesting!

Kadomatsu from Poland

2010-01-08T18:34:00.016+09:00

My another New Year Celebration is from Poland. We rarely see Kadomatsu new year pine decoration in recent Japan, (sadly Christmas trees are more popular now), so I was surprised when it came from Poland. Washi Artist Mariola made it!

I like her dolls too. Their posture, the head inclining one side silently are really Japanese traditional way and express something wordlessly but fully.
http://fotoforum.gazeta.pl/photo/6/fi/bi/30rn/i1ycYOy19IXTVjjCsX.jpg
http://fotoforum.gazeta.pl/photo/6/fi/bi/30rn/79gKlnhryzUxPecLeX.jpg
How did she get to know this!? Even Japanese forget now...

It is always my pleasure to see foreign people succeed Japanese culture. Some of traditions are almost disappeared here but taken over overseas like a torch relay..

I sometimes feel ashamed of myself when they make me realized that I know only a few things about my culture. How can I do for this? I don't have artist sense nor talent...Only I can do is waring kimono nicely...? OK I will try.

My New Year's New and Old

2010-01-01T17:59:00.005+09:00

Japanese want to have something new when welcoming New Year. I had planed to get new obi from my favorite kimono shop. But..when I visited second time after I made up my mind "I gonna get it!", it was disappeared.... So I wore my mother's old obi as new. Now my mother's waist is about double of mine, but the obi is a bit short for me. Does this mean that I would have triple waist size when I would become my mother's current age?

After the new year celebration (just ate a lot) at my parents house, we went Rakugo comic story telling performance. It was wonderful. The story was about Kabuki actor. Rakugo comedian express colorful and active Kabuki performance by just words. This is another Japanese traditional art but very hard to tell foreigners (sad). I laughed and laughed.

At the exit of Rakugo theater, there was nice New Year decoration but who took this photo? We can't see the full display...sorry...

My Family Crests (Kamon)

2009-12-31T15:20:00.011+09:00

As for my reminder, I memorize my family crests here.

Left: My mother's family: 丸に五七の桐 maruni 5-7no kiri （5 and 7 kiri paulownia tree and flower in a circle）.
Right: My father’s family: 丸に抱沢瀉　maruni idaki omodaka; (Face to face omodaka leaves and flower in a circle)

Girls usually succeed maiden crest. However, the opportunity using kamon is drastically decreasing. It was put on armors, house gates, haoris and other festive dresses but currently we merely use them. Even my parents, they didn't recall their kamon soon when I asked...
As for kimonos, put 5 kamons (one on back, two on chests and two on sleeves) are the most formal. Black tomesode has 5 mon crests but since Emperors family don't wear black tomesode, when you are invited imperial family, you shoud wear colored iro-tomesode and put 5 mon crests on it. It must cost a lot!

Dyeing (not dying) Night

2009-11-17T22:26:00.022+09:00

At the exhibition for Japanese cultural experience, I met a Japanese dyeing class student whose kimono design was tremendous momiji autumn leaf. She and her aunt studied Isshiki Tsujigahana tie-dyeing method and now are studying yuzen dyeing. (On the picture, the right lady wears momiji autumn leaf yuzen dyeing and the left lady wears tie-dyeing. how gorgeous kimonos they wear!)

The master of Itchiku Tsujigahana tie-dyeing revived it from four hundred years dormant. It is older than yuzen free-hand dyeing. When he revived it in 1980s, not only Japan but the world praised his works extravagantly. For example, Osho painted his Rolls-Royse as Itchiku Tsujigahana-way. (really?)

To show my respect to all kimono dyeing method, I wore sarasa calico dyeing. Do you know? The word sarasa calico came from Portuguese altough currently sarasa doesn't exist in Portugal any more.

It was interesting night to know the history of dyeing and the world is connected.

Photo book of Itchiku Tsujigahana works. $1,200 Wow.

Edo Kimono Fashion

2009-11-03T22:13:00.010+09:00

At Hotel New Otani museum, an exhibition “Townswomen Fashion Kosode and Ukiyo-e Paintings in Edo Period” has been held by Nov 23rd. We can see kimono fashion history and change from 17th century to 19th century with lots of ukiyo-e woodblock printings and real kimonos!
It was a small exhibition since most of ukiyo-es are hotel owner family’s collection. (Not Hilton's but Otani's) And most of kimonos were labeled personal collection. Who have these super antique kimonos? How they survived the war fire and earthquakes? I am curious…
Today, I wore Edo komon dyeing kimono with Edo bingata dyeing obi sash to show my respect to Edo era kimonos. If you wear kimono, you can get half discount for the entrance fee!

Japanese Empress’s Kimonos

2009-10-22T16:12:00.010+09:00

I am not a crazy fan, and not a protester of Japan’s royal family, just I like watching her kimonos. All of them are state of the art. All Japan’s kimono crafting techniques are concentrated. The artisans were young and their golden age when they made these kimonos for her. And now, they are retired and have few successors.

This 2300yen book is just published and how lucky, I found a magazine introduced some of the pictures. Let’s take a peek!

The Empress Michiko-sama's Kimonos

Which kimono I should wear to see shogun’s wife’s kimono…?

2009-10-12T15:30:00.008+09:00

To see wives of shogun samurai generals' kimono (kosode), I visited the exhibition “Art of the Tokugawa shogunate and the end of the feudal age” in Yokohama. It will be until Nov 23th.
October is difficult season for kimono. It’s regulated as awase with liner, but still hitoe no-liner is comfortable. So I wore thin wool komon and put tuzure obi. Wool and cotton are always tailored as hitoe no-liner and we can wear them throughout the year. (and also, it's washable!)
This tuzure obi has good kaku status (I believe) so, I think this ensemble is good for appreciation of shogun familie’s stuffs. Actually, this tsuzure obi is very heavy because it is handwoven and thick. It always slide down…
I was a bit disappointed only one kosode was displayed at this exhibition. Even though, it was really beautiful full embroidered yuzen dyeing so worth to see it!

photo:小袖浅葱縮緬地松竹梅桜菊網干模様友禅染繍伝和宮(静寛院宮)所用 19th century, Tokugawa Memorial Foundation

World-Class Kimono Expert Amazed Tokyo

2009-10-02T21:02:00.010+09:00

Finally I could meet Berber Misuchi from Netherland. A queen of kimono kitsuke blog. She was amazing. What else I can say!? She was invited by Cultural Exchange Institute and made a speech. She talked about her history and challenge collecting kimonos and its information. I have never seen a person studying how to wear kimono only from a book. Other Japanese attendees neither. Her kitsuke, coordination and kimono manner were perfect. We (most of them were guide-interpreter) were just amazed and deeply impressed to hear how kimonos were loved by her.

A kimono magazine’s editor who attended the meeting said Berber was a real yamato nadeshiko from The Netherlands, (Yamato nadeshiko is "woman who displays the feminine virtues of old Japan" by Jim Breen), because Berber wore kimono so nicely. She also said "Berber reminded us the beauty of kimono and depth of kimono clothes." I totally agree!
(After the speech, she was like a star!)

I had known her as Misuchi on kimono blog who posed like a kimono model. Real Misuchi Berber was so charming and her body movements in kimono were really graceful. Thank you Berber, it was great honor for me to arrange such an exciting intercultural session!

At Ikeda antique kimono store. We went Roppongi, Shibuya and Meguro in kimono.

Meiji Era Kimono Style

2009-09-27T18:31:00.008+09:00

I read an autobiography of a rakugoka comic story teller, 志ん生 Shinsho, who was born in 1890, Meiji era. Although he was a son of samurai family, he was poor because of drinking, gambling, and playing at hanamachi area. His description about how poor he was is so funny and tell us old kimono habits in early 20 century.

For example, he said he never rode a train and walked to everywhere to save train fares. “I walked and walked, tying my haori at my neck (like Batman!?) with bare feet, tying my geta shoes at my waist, since I was afraid my geta heals wore out.” Today in Japan, we never see a man like this. I guess he hung his geta with obi sash…
He mentioned that because of his poverty, his family also wore a little. His wife wore only koshimaki at their house. Koshimaki is kimono underskirt… So his wife was like The Venus de Milo!?

Kimono Article on English Magazine.

2009-09-10T12:23:00.006+09:00

I wrote about kimono for Tokyo Journal, English magazine published in Japan. I heard it was sold in some foreign cities. If you find it, please read the kimono article.

The photo shoot for the front cover and the kimono article was held on end-July. The model wore awase lined furisode under 30C (86F) temperature… I wrapped the model’s arms with ice pads because I really worried that she had got heatstroke! But she was so patient and tough. She survived.

All of kimonos for shooting from Ikeda-san’s antique kimono shop. Ikedasan’s selection’s furisode is 4000 yen and obi is just 1000 yen. (in total $50!) Although the writing was a hard work, I really enjoyed the shooting. I am so sad that I forgot to take a photo of Ikeda-san and me. Ikeda-san is famous kimono coordinator and antique obidome collector. Some of you may know about her books.

Obidome Shigeko Ikeda Collection

Geisha Show!

2009-09-03T11:59:00.004+09:00

On my birthday, hoping a unique event, I asked to take me to Geisha Show! There are some reasonable tours for travelers. I heard English geisha tours were much popular than for Japanese, but this night, I met none of non-Japanese.

After 30 min ride on bus, we went Mukojima old red-light district area. Two geishas, one hangyoku (geisha apprentice) and one shamisen player welcomed us, 17 Japanese people, most of us were women. Although this type of event used to be limited for man visitors, now both customers and entertainers are women.

They served dinner for us, cheered with us, played music and danced. I really enjoyed their beautiful and traditional kimonos. Surprisingly, they wore kimonos quite loosely (but not slovenly). Hangyoku-san’s embroidery haneri (inside collar) was so cute!
Mukojima means Other Side (of Sumida river) or Out Side of Edo (old Tokyo) central. Isolated and lawless area man could be absorbed in self-indulgent pleasures with geishas and oirans, if he was rich!

It is better watching dolls in kimono than wearing by oneself

2009-08-15T21:18:00.005+09:00

Too hot to wear kimono. This is my first time in August. I am afraid I would forget how to wear kimono…
So I went to Jusaburo Tsujimura’s doll exhibition in yukata. Lots of samurai and nobility dolls wore gorgeous kimonos. Sorry beautiful dolls, I wore really casual!

This dragon fly yukata from yahoo japan auction is my thinnest one. It was really cheap that means thin. But I like this color and design. Obi sash is hanhaba Okinawa minsa hemp. The motif is continuous 4 and 5 squares which means I am always with you, even we would be in reincarnation. Scary?
Habano utage by Jusaburo Tsujimura

My small resistance to Tokyo town heat

2009-08-09T17:29:00.007+09:00

At the window facing west, I grow a bitter melon, a vine plant to block scorching sun. Not only being a sunshade, it provided me a small bitter melon. I sautéed it and ate with beer. Yummy!

This summer, Tokyo terrible heat has not begun yet. We have record long rainy season (because of global weirding weather?) . I just can’t stand this moisture. Muggy, just muggy….So since July, I have worn only a hemp kimono. With instant nagajuban, thin cotton, no wide sleeve. Obi is 苧麻 I don’t know how I translate it but Jim Breen says it is ramie (an Asian flowering nettle) (Boehmeria nivea). I like this ensemble because it’s the coolest of mine. Do you think grey-green doesn’t fit summer season? We prefer dark color in summer because dark color provides us coolness, impression-wise. That’s why there are many indigo yukatas.

For me, the biggest concern in summer is not town heat but cockroach. May be both are related and recently, big cockroaches sneak into my house often. Every time I screamed as if I were killed but no help. I’ve finally found this might be the best solution. 木酢液 Jim Breen says nothing, wikipedia says it is pyroligneous acid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroligneous_acid
By my direct translation, it is wood vinegar. I spray it at my leaning and always a bit opening terrace door. Since then, no cockroach appears. This wood vinegar also works for stray cats that regard my backyard as a rest room. 木酢液 wood pyoroligneous vinegar works well! Because somebody said, it smelled like burnt wood so scared insects and animals. No cocroach and cat shit shows. For human, only me? it’s not so bad smell.

My first tea ceremony experience

2009-07-15T22:56:00.002+09:00

I joined tea ceremony which was held in English. Either in Japanese or in English, this was my first tea ceremony experience. Since I hate Japanese confectionaries, -I can’t eat sweet azuki bean paste, how poor Japanese I am!- I avoided the opportunity to attend tea ceremonies. Because I knew attendees must eat tea cakes and must appreciate them….
But at this class, we eat western cakes. I could appreciate it! (although still liquors are preferable than sweets for me) Everything happened in the ceremony was quite fresh and interesting for me. I learned how to appreciate everything (everything!) and got peace and comfort in my mind. Wow, Zen experience!?
Just one thing, I was surprised that we need to sip the tea. I know lots of tea ceremony lovers reading this blog. I would like to ask, doesn’t this embarrass you??

How to wear kimono coolly

2009-07-02T20:51:00.004+09:00

Do you have ice pad in your area? These sheets are so useful to cool down the body when we wear kimono in the hot season. Usually it is put on fevered kid’s forehead. I wrap my upper arms with these sheets. I can’t stand without them in summer. Insert ice block between kimono and obi knot might be cooler but obi will get wet. Only with non-silk obi, you can try ice block on back.

Today’s ensemble is
Light brown; ojiya chijimi 50% hemp and 50% cotton
Light orange; Tale of Genji Evening glory sash
White; obi jime belt
Hmm it’s a bit colorless…

New summer sake tasting party

2009-06-12T20:20:00.002+09:00

Now it’s a season for first brewed sake, which were blended and stocked in the keg last autumn. We tasted 14 kinds of summer sakes at once! My favorite was …Tukasa botan senchu hassaku (what a long name… ) Not too sweet but had body and nice aroma. And also, it’s not so expensive.

For this tasting party, I wore hitoe no-lined yellow zenmai tsumugi and summer obi. Zenmai is a kind of fern grass. The fabric shows the fern's fiber randomly.
This tsumugi was originally tailored for awase lined. I removed the liner (actually I asked to remove it to kimono laundry). Because of this color, when it become hitoe no-lined, it become much useful. Nice to wear in late spring and early autumn.

Today’s three colors are
Yellow; kimono
White; obi sash
Violet; nagajuban under kimono, obi scarf and belt
My favorite colors!

Which is which?

2009-06-02T20:11:00.003+09:00

Kilo sent me his photo in kimono from San Francisco. The photo reminds me the most famous last samurai Saigo-don in Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saig%C5%8D_Takamori

Kilo, if you would come to Japan, you must be treated like a celebrity!

A boat obi on the ship in Hawaii

2009-05-21T21:54:00.002+09:00

I brought some hitoe kimonos to my cruise trip around Hawaii islands. Because air conditioning was sometimes too strong for me, (hei it's waste of energy, America!) not yukata but hitoe was perfect to wear in the ship.

Boat design hakata obi sash, Ginza musubi knot
Kimono is 50% cotton, 50% hemp hitoe Ojiya chijimi

Sakura with Sakura color haori

2009-04-05T21:32:00.001+09:00

Sakura blooms only for a week in a year. This is the reason we all long for it almost a year, and once it blooms, we are intoxicated around the tree!

New kimono kitsuke session

2009-02-01T22:25:00.001+09:00

Although kimono has become special occasional clothes, someone still wear it daily. We asked her to show us how she wore kimono, and she did! At previous kimono kitsuke class, I was taught to use two Korin belts -elastic with plastic clips on both ends to hold collar not loosen. So I used to clip kimono and juban in total 4 clips inside kimono. But she totally denied the belt with clips and told us how to tie chest strap between kimono and obi sash. Big surprise! The strap holds collars gently, and keeps them for a long time.

She also taught us, if we use 3 different colors in total kimono coordination, it look chic and sophisticated (=iki). Not too many colors, not monotone. She also said, we need to be careful for black sash because it easily seemed “nighttime entertainment business women’s” fashion…

Next time, I will ask her how to remake kimonos which became a bit girlish for my age. She may tell us how to re-dye them or how to change the liners. How exciting!

My Shamisen teacher is on January Kabuki

2009-01-25T22:27:00.001+09:00

I think this is a big opportunity for who wants to study Samisen, Japanese banjo, and a big crisis for this traditional instrument.
You can study from a national theater level teacher with $30 per lesson at local small class! Class mates are always less than 10. If you would like to study how to play piano or violin from national theater level teacher in their original country, how much it would cost!?

My shamisen teacher was on January Kabuki. I couldn't get the ticket so watched him on TV. He was just behind Tomijyuro!!!

My obi met her mother

2008-12-01T22:12:00.002+09:00

Freehand Yuzen dyeing artist, Yogestu Ozaki (originally from Kyoto and now in Hyogo).had an exhibition in Tokyo.
I visited her exhibition with her obi. She was so pleased to meet me and my obi, saying ‘like I meet my daughter again!’ Although she has so gentle and sensitive look, her works yokai ghost series are creative and impressive.
If I would wear her ghost obi sash, where should I visit!?

My kimono tansu (chest of drawers) is from a prison

2008-11-15T17:32:00.001+09:00

Kiri / paulownia chest of drawers is the best for kimono. Good kiri woods make inside vacuum and keep kimono from humid. Even it would be fired, inside kimono wouldn’t be burned. (I just heard. I haven’t tried it though).
But it is expensive! Usually it is inherited but my mother is still using hers. And hers is too big for my small tatami room. So I ordered it to a jail where trains prisoners to be a traditional craftsmen.
It is a small chest of drawers so I can keep half of my stocks. In winter, it keeps my summer kimonos. In summer, winter’s. A bit annoying but it urges my koromogae seasonal cloth changes like a mother!
I put nioi bukuro sachet Japanese incense in it. It keeps kimono from worm eaten. Especially silk and wool are risky.

Two ways of tying a sash to show different front designs

2008-10-15T16:07:00.002+09:00

From Nagamochiya, --Nagamochiya is a kind of commission based kimono shop. Tons of unused nice kimonos offered from non-professional individuals. If they wouldn’t be sold in 3-6 month, they would be returned to the owner. So every time you visit, you can see new ones, --I bought Edo bingata dyeing on zenmai tsumugi weave Nagoya obi. It still has tacking on it. Why your ex-owner didn't use you? Although you have such a special weave and dyeing!
Front designs are, one-side mostly plain violet and the other side pretty flowery pattern. So I tried to show both designs with different kimonos. Although I always tie obi sash as anti-clockwise.
To tie sash with clockwise is called Kansai (western Japanese) maki. Tying anti-clock wise is called Kanto maki (eastern Japanese). I don’t know why we call so. Kyoto women are tying clock-wise?

With nice assistance by my kitsuke helper, I could complete my first Kansai maki trial. Thanks god we didn’t have quarrel!

Kanto maki
One layer komon kimono
Violet gauze cotton-linen kimono under
Violet gauze collar (same cloth with kimono under)
Violet sash scarf
Violet-silver sash belt

Kansai maki
One layer Zenmai tsumugi kimono
Violet gauze cotton-linen kimono under
Violet gauze collar (same cloth with kimono under)
Violet sash scarf
Violet-silver sash belt

MMM other than kimono, all the same. I need more creativity…
Gray grid pattern komon kimono was from an antique kimono shop Ikeda. The sleeve is too long as you see. At the next kimono laundry, I will ask to make kimono unfasten and re-sew for my size. Yellow zenmai tsumugi was originally tailored lined. But because of its color and Tokyo’ s town heat, I remade it one layer. I am sure this was a nice idea!

Japanese style party in Asakusa

2008-09-30T21:44:00.001+09:00

We had a party in Asakusa at traditional Japanese inn Sadachiyo.

Shamisen player and Hokan comedian showed their performance just in front of us. Although we had to give lots of wrapped offerings (of money)to them, it was a great fun! Hokan comedian is also called Male-Geisha. But his performance was totally different from ladies-geisha’s. Everything was blue joke. Mmm…

Shamisen Yukata Zarai, three-stringed Japanese guitar recital with Yukata

2008-08-24T20:48:00.001+09:00

All pupils played by rotation on the red carpeted stage to show what we studied for this year. Professional singers sung with our play. How honor it was.
Lots of fun to see all of us wearing yukata. This red obi lady’s yukata was awesome. Both side printed indigo dyed cotton cloth. Each side had different pattern. She said she custom ordered it to a wholesale in Ningyo cho near Asakusa.
I think this is the Edo (=Tokyo) Iki chic which is in contrast with Kyoto Hannari gorgeous.

Evacuate to Hokkaido

2008-08-10T20:45:00.001+09:00

Since Tokyo is too hot because of the town heat, we escaped to Shiretoko Peninsula, the north-east of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Shiretoko is 16 degrees C. How comfortable…
Japanese inn serves yukatas (cotton casual kimono) for the guests but they are always too tired and too short. So I brought my own. Even mine was only a few thousand yen at Yahoo kimono auction, I like this design.
Violet dragonfly and white stripe yukata
Violet and blue Hakata Hanhaba obi

Torture? No, summer kimonos

2008-07-27T17:29:00.001+09:00

Who makes Tokyo so hot? Everyday, the temperature is over 30 degree Celsius, 90 Fahrenheit.
Wearing kimono in Tokyo is now a kind of torture. Because of obi sash. You must wind up your waist with 3-4m long sash and tie! Man’s sash is easy because it’s only 9cm wide. Woman’s is about 15cm.
I won’t give up though. It’s a season of light, thin and sheer kimonos made of cotton, linen and hemp. They look so cool. I love them.

Tamasaburo and Ebizo play together on July Kabuki. Don't miss it!
I wore light colored kimono to Kabuki-za. It was Natsu Oshima. Very light weaved silk, shari-shari (please imagine) touch.　Obi is my summer best (but only for early-summer because the motif is the morning glory) Genji Monogatari.

　
Cotton kimono with silk fukuro obi (left), hemp kimono and hemp obi(right)
Hemp is cooler than cotton yukata and much sophisticated I think.

New summer obi from yahoo japan auction

2008-07-06T22:47:00.001+09:00

New obi just arrived. 100% silk, brand new, rasha tsumugi. The issue is, although I get this for my yellow Zenmai tsumugi, obi’s seasonality is just for mid-June to end of August. Tsumugi should be after Sept. they won’t match! Since obi texture is too summery. I found it when I received it. Pictures on auction didn’t tell it…
+ = I had thought perfect match

Kimono for the rainy season

2008-06-04T15:54:00.001+09:00

It's rainy season in Tokyo now. I wear thin wool or cotton kimono in this season. No silk. I like these cotton / wool kimonos because these are easy to wear and washable. Any water drops are profitable for the silk. Even your sweat or drops of beers!

With Ama zori, rain sandals from Hasegawa in Asakusa and Ama coat, rain coat from Yahoo kimono auction.

Iromuji at sea

2008-05-05T14:44:00.002+09:00

I wore Iromuji Kimono for the formal night of my cruise travel at Mediterranean Sea. I love cruise, ship and sea as well as kimono. So why don't I cruise wiht kimonos? This is my highest ranked kimono robe and obi sash for formal dress code. Iromuji with my family crest (kamon) on the back. Although nobody on the ship cares for the rank of my kimono, I put date eri (two-layer collar ) also since this is our traditional formal dress code.

this is my first trial of date eri (two-layer collar).
Today's Kimono
Iromuji (dyed up in one color) kimono with one family crest and two-layer collar
Traditional motif (flower?) sash with gold stitch work
White kimono under
Two layered collar with laced purple and yellow
Yellow sash scarf
Yellow sash belt

My master's model play Nagauta Shamisen Ayame Yukata

2008-03-05T16:02:00.001+09:00

I can't play as quick like him though....
You can listen not only his play but also his lecture about this music at the end (in Japanese).

Mr. Kineya Yakichi, Shamisen Player and my teacher

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1357750743505175350

A happy new year!

2008-01-01T18:19:00.001+09:00

My new year kimono (means my recent favorite)

Edo Komon (stencil dyeing) kimono
Yuzen dyeing Princess Violet sash
Pale pink silk kimono under
Lacy white collar
Violet sash scarf
Violet and silver sash belt

New Obi! Lovely but difficult to adjust...

2007-12-02T16:12:00.002+09:00

My new Princess Violet obi sash by freehand Yuzen dyeing artist, Yogestu Ozaki.
The motif of this sash comes from a classic literature in 11th century,
The Tale of Genji ( Genji Monogatari =>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Genji ), the story of a prince Genji and tons of princesses he loved.
Princess Violet is the youngest princess he loved. She was look alike his one-side lover, his step mother, Emperor's 2nd (or 3rd?) wife.
This sash's motif is the moment Prince met Princess Violet. She's just shown behind the blind chasing a bird.
Why Princess Violet? The reason is here. princess-violet-is-me

This sash is too wonderful to tie. Because it is very difficult to show the bird on the top and her hair at the bottom together. And also, Yogetsu kindly put GENJIKO mark on tare, at the end of the sash. It's easily misaligned!

Shamisen Japanese Banjo Live in a Traditional Red Light District

2007-11-26T17:57:00.001+09:00

Every Friday night, my Shamisen masters perform at a bar in Arakicho Shinjuku. I and my Shamisen classmates enjoyed last Friday’s session together.

Arakicho used to be a kind of red light district. The street was narrow and winding. Around here, not only the bar they performed, you also can find a bunch of tiny and nice Japanese style dinners and bars. Do you wanna visit Arakicho? I will guide you!

The music charge of the Shamisen performance is 1500yen ($13) per person. She said her Japanese style hair-set costed 10,000yen... I am worrying how she can afford it.

My First Shamisen (Japanese Banjo) Recital

2007-10-14T21:00:00.001+09:00

I started Shamisen Japanese Banjo class from this spring. I had expected to get mroe opportunity to wear Kimono with Shamisen class, but nobody wore Kimono at the class... I disappointed...
But please see! at the recital, we played as if we were National Orchestra!

Today's Kimono
Edo Komon (stencil dyeing) kimono
Shioze hand write dyeing sash with Japanese musical instrumentals motif
Pale pink silk kimono under
Pale pink collar
Violet sash scarf
Violet and silver sash belt

I made Edo Komon kimono which I had admired for a long time for this recital. And I coordinated musical instrumental motif sash for it. What a nice combination! I know I couldn't play Shamisen as nice as I looked. Please wait for until next year's recital. Oh, but what I shall wear next year!!!

The best performance in the world at Kabuki theater

2007-09-04T10:40:00.001+09:00

Today is my birthday! I went to see Kabuki with the best seat in my life. 10th low from the stage!

Tamasaburo (Go Wikipedia.en ") acting geisha prostitute Akoya was really really wonderful. He danced, sung and played 3 instrumentals with Japanese style big band. Japanese harp Koto, Japanese guitar Shamisen and Chinese guitar Kokyu. As everybody admits, he is genius. Born to be Kabuki Oyama (actor of female roles).

I think he is the best actor in the world because I have never heard about Broadway star who can dance and sing as well as play three different type of instrumentals (piano, violin and base...!?).

Get Tamasaburo Akoya DVD from amazon.co.jp. You can buy it in English when you click English button on the right of the top.

Today's Kimono
Gauze silk summer oshima tsumugi (pongee fabrics) kimono
Gauze silk summer sash with fan and dragonfly motif
Pale pink silk kimono under
Violet collar
Violet sash scarf
Violet sash belt

I was a bit disappointed to find few Kimono in Kabuki Theater. Not about the actors but the audiences...

Under the Tuscan Sun with Kimono

2007-08-15T16:55:00.001+09:00

I traveled Toscany Italy. My tale of Genji sash and the tower of Colle di Val d'Elsa didn't mismatch, did they? Since both of them were born in Middle Ages.

I rode a bike in Kimono in Italy! This was my first time to try. If my grandma had seen me biking, she might have been so scared out!

A love poem from 1000years ago

2007-06-19T13:17:00.002+09:00

My new summer sash has just arrived. Sent by freehand Yuzen dyeing artist, Yogestu Ozaki.
The motif of this sash comes from a classic literature in 11th century,
The Tale of Genji ( Genji Monogatari =>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Genji ), the story of a prince Genji and tons of princesses he loved. The tale has 54 chapters, each chapter title is coming from each princess's name.

This sash's motif is Yugao (Twilight Beauty), the princess sent a fan to the prince Genji. On the fan, there were a love poem she wrote and beautiful white glories.

Now It's the summer kimono season!

2007-06-12T10:16:00.002+09:00

We wear lined kimono with winter sash until the end of May and are permitted to wear single kimono and summer sash in June and in September. July and August is a season for silk gauze kimonos with summer sash.
This is severe Kimono regulation and no matter how hot in May (especially these global warming days!), if you wore single kimono with summer sash, a member of committee of Kimono discipline (usually old nagging ladies) walk to you and warn.

Now June starts. This is my June style. Do you like them?
Single silk komon(dyeing) kimono
Gauze silk summer sash with fan and dragonfly motif
Violet cotton and hemp kimono under
Violet collar
Rose and orange silk sash scarf
Violet sash belt

Thanks for your comment, Satoai-san. I found this gray/white lattice kimono at a famous antique kimono collector Ms. Shigeko Ikeda's shop in Tokyo. This is the only one she praised me although I had tried tons of kimonos!

Princess Violet is me

2007-05-17T12:23:00.001+09:00

Somebody asked me about my Kanji character meaning for my name.
My name Shino 紫乃 is coming from a classic literature in 11th century, Genji Monogatari. The story of the prince Genji and princesses he loved. 紫乃上 Princess Violet is the youngest princess he loved because she was look alike his step mother, Emperor's 2nd (or 3rd?) wife. It’s a complicated story to explain all because the literature is very long! and the Prince Genji loved so many princesses. In 11th century, there was no monogamy regulation in Japan.
OK from now on, please call me princess Shino or princess Violet. And tell me the meaning of your name!

Kimono requires non gorgeous, non-sexy body

2007-04-20T12:28:00.001+09:00

In Japan, April is the beginning of the new academic year for schools. My Kimono class also started in april. I STUDYed how to wear Kimono. I confess I could not wear Kimono by myself. Please don't laugh.... Because how to wear Kimono is very difficult, Japanese do not wear them so often and become to forget how to wear.

Another reason of the declining the usage of the kimono is... Kimoto fits the waist-less, flat-chested body. If you have contoured glamorous body, it is better to wear in western style.

I have a nice body for Kimono. Now I have got to know how to wear kimono. But still I can’t tighten Obi Sash by myself. It is the most difficult part. I want double length arms and soft shoulder joint to tighten Sash on my back!

Summer Kimonos in Sept. in Europe

2006-09-04T15:42:00.001+09:00

I traveled Mediterranean with 5 kimonos. Kimono regulations do not permit to wear Summer Kimono in September. If you wear summer cotton kimono or hemp kimono after September 1st, old strict Japanese lady walk straight up to you and warn you.
But who knows it in Europe!!? The temperature was around 75F-90F, 25C-30C in early September. I enjoyed summer Kimonos. Guys who met me around Mediterranean, thank you for telling my kimono was beautiful.

with a Russian couple on Mediterranean with Silk Komon Kimono and Silver Obi

Hemp50% and Cotton50% Kimono and Okinawa Minsa Obi and my birthday cake!

In Palermo with dragon fly motif Cotton Kimono and pink Hakata Obi

Graduated Kimono Class

2006-08-21T10:41:00.001+09:00

I finished my kimono class. Now I can wear Kimono full set in 15 minutes.　Please don't think 15 minutes is too long. We must wear two kimonos at once, tight one kimono with 2 ropes.
Additionally, Obi sash and sash belt, sash ribbon should be tighten. If you bind ropes or sashes too tight, you can not eat anything!

And in the summer season, Tokyo has become really hot and muggy because of town heat, wearing kimono is a kind of a torture. Recently in Tokyo, the temperature become over 33C (90F) everyday!

Attached picture is my Kimono Class Union. Please see beautiful summer Kimono collection!