Taisho Chic Experiment

This morning I dressed up in my indigo kimono I purchased early October. I fell lin love with this kimono because the indigo was just so vibrant and the pink and turquoise hanabishi pattern completely won me over.

I decided to pair the kimono with my rasberry red hakata obi (the first photograph gives the true colours). I also tied one of the new PuchiMaiko koshi-himo around the bottom part of the obi as an accessory to see what it would look like.

I wore my orange juban because my other juban are currently being converted to two piece juban sets. I have to admit - I was surprised with how nice the orange went with the outfit! It was quite unexpected. I think I will make a thin orange "belt" to wear with this outfit next time.

Last, but not least - I decided to do my hair in a Taisho-chic style. I often see similar hairstyles in shin hanga prints - and I love how it looks.

Uchikake!

A few weeks ago I participated in a taiko concert. I only had a small walk-on appearance in the finale - but the costume was spectacular!

I was told often during the night that I looked like a Japanese doll. Such a flattering compliment!

I must say - wearing uchikake tires you out. It is amazingly heavy and hard to "carry" about between shows.

In the dressing room - I have the uchikake tied up with a koshi himo so it was easier to walk in until the concert.



Backstage:

Yukata Fun!

My good friend Christy, and her husband Brian were visiting from out of town visiting for the night. We decided to have dinner at a Japanese place. For fun and for an excuse to wear kimono - we dressed in yukata!

This was the first opportunity I had to try my raspberry red hakata obi with my yukata. At first, I was concerned it might be a bit to bright against the purple - but the colours actually went together fantastic.

Photographs after we returned home from the restaurant (I am in purple - see my cute bag/kinchaku I made to match my yukata?):

Traditional Japanese Motifs and Patterns

I'm a very big fan of traditional Japanese patterns vs modern, contemporary patterns. Well, I do appreciate certain contemporary patterns - but they don't hold a special place in my heart as the traditional ones do.
There is something very aesthetically pleasing about traditional patterns, designs and colour combinations that just never seem to work with Western clothing.


To date - my top three favourite traditional patterns (in order) are:

Ume (plum blossom)

Chidori (plover)

Kanoko Shibori (a type of tie-die)

Asanoha (hemp leaf pattern)

(oops - top four, I guess!)

Lately, I've been looking at kimono, obi and fabric that contain traditional patterns and now, I am very excited - the other week, I purchased this obi:


It has the most adorable plump little chidori jumping over wave patterns on it. It is made from summer ro silk.

My next excitable purchase was this tan of asanoha kimono fabric.

Converting One Piece Juban into Two

The week before - I worked on a juban I already owned. I had received the juban in a box of damaged kimono to be used for fabric. At first I loathed the colour of it...but over time it grew upon me. I decided not to cut it up early on in the game especially considering it was in great condition. I figured I could use it for costume design or something similar. The only problem with it - it fitted me everywhere perfect...except it only came to just below my knees...instead of above my ankle.

At last, I finally got enough courage to attempt to re-construct it into a two-piece juban. I personally find two-piece juban much more comfortable to wear - and, it lends hope to those of us who are taller (I'm only 165cm - but by kimono standards - that is huge! yikes).

A lovely friend of mine who lives in Holland sent me photographs with measurements of her two-piece juban. It was quite useful, as she is taller than I am so I was able to make it to fit. I had to try to keep as much fabric in the skirt part as I could. To achieve this. I cut the top of the juban shorter, and added white cotton around the bottom to give it length. I then added white cotton to the top of the juban skirt to give it a bit of extra length and ties.

I was very happy with the outcome!


(Please forgive the dirty collar, this photo was taken immediately after wearing this at a VERY dusty festival)



Some day when I have the time, I'll do a detailed tutorial on how to convert juban like this.