It is better watching dolls in kimono than wearing by oneself

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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...

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

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

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!!!