Japanese Bon Festival 2012 (and surprise engagement!)

September 7 and 8 was the Japanese Bon Festival here in Memphis. Friday night was a reception for the festival and a local Japanese teacher who put in over 35 years of service. I only have one photo that someone snapped of Josh, my dance teacher, and me. We were trying to decide what type of animal the "Candyman" from Epcot had made. We think it may be a pegasus?

The second day was very busy for me. Josh and I started the day helping with tea ceremony.

Higashi and fukusa

I was the assistant. Here I am bringing the sweets to the main guest.

Patti is trying to show our friend Jason how to enter the tea room. He looks so serious!

Another couple and Josh and I are the "beginner" members. Sensei is telling us what we need to do for the demonstration.

 After tea ceremony, I hurried off to ready my models for a short kimono presentation.

The three female models. 

Dressing Becka

Becka in a fall ensemble. Cecilia in a spring one.

  What I didn't know was that I was in for a huge surprise at the end of the kimono presentation. Josh took the mic and proposed. I cried so hard! Of course I said yes!! And our friends caught the pics.

I had to play the shamisen right after the proposal. Despite being choked up, I did well for my first public performance!

At the end of the day, our dance group performed a modern-style dance and then four different bon odori dances. 

Performing "Tanko Bushi"

Everyone in yukata!

We made uchiwa. Our kanji is so bad!!

Going home. A long, exciting day is done. =)

Chanoyu Juban and Brown Obiage

Sorry it's been so long since the last post! I had to move fairly suddenly, and I GOT ENGAGED!! So, real-life things had to take precedence for a little while.

Anyway, I saw this men's juban the other night and decided it would be a mistake to let it go. It's large for a vintage piece, and it has chanoyu (tea ceremony) implements on it as well as some nice shibori. I hope it will fit Josh nicely.

Since I knew I'd be paying the shipping anyway, I slipped an obiage in on this order. This nice warm metallic brown color should fit nicely with the fall ensembles coming up.

eBay sale!

As I am about to move (again...), I'm getting rid of some kimono items so I don't have to pack more stuff. I'll be listing things here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/jadexcore51/m.html. Please take a look!

Orange Iromuji and Grey Stripe Komon

Maybe it's a bit of a throw-back to my very first kimono (which I no longer own, sadly), but orange has always been a favorite color. It's just too bright the majority of the time to look chic. However, this orange iromuji in a more muted tone that I purchased today very much suits my liking. And at 174cm, it's great for my taller frame. =)

I also purchased a grey striped komon tonight. It has very fine stripes which I find quite elegant. And there's some small bamboo in there. It's also a taller piece. I can't wait to see it in person!

Black Yuzen Kikyo Tsukesage

Yet another spoil from Shinei's practically never-ending sale... After possibly going through hundreds of kimono tonight looking for a good deal on a kimono that would actually fit me, this one caught my eye. Only $13 and 169cm tall with 136cm wingspan. Sold and sold. I'm pretty sure it's kikyo (bellflower) featured in the design.

Kimono Challenge #6

1. How did you discover and get into kimono?
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s), not including dressing items or undergarments.
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favorite coordinations?
6. What you like and don’t like about kimono.
7. Kimono confessions…Did you know that…
8. Your dream kitsuke items.
9. Your biggest kimono fears.
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration?
11. Your kimono collection.
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory.

I absolutely love kimono (of course), so it will be easier to answer what I like about kimono versus what I don't like. I love that even though all kimono are the same basic shape, the wide variety of colors and patterns make it so that you have limitless options in coordination. Add formality and sleeve length changes and that's even more options. It's so much fun to me to sit down and try to coordinate outfits for different occasions. Also, adding new and different types of kimono to my collection is part of the draw of kimono. I love how when I go out in public (even to Japanese events), it's eye-catchingly different. I always love how even the Japanese ladies that I do tea ceremony with always marvel over the fact that 1. I can dress myself, and 2. I'm a Westerner dressing myself. I love how kimono make anyone look sophisticated, and it brings an air of gentility to even the most casual of situations. It often feels like you're going back in time while wearing kimono. They make me feel elegant when I'm wearing them, when normally I'm a clumsy fool. Last, I love how so many things in Japanese culture revolve around the kimono, whether we recognize it or not. For example, in tea ceremony, many of the movements are done so that a kimono's sleeve will be out of the way or as not the sully a clean kimono. Without wearing a kimono while practicing, the subtle nuance of those movements is lost.

Now for what I don't like... I don't like that most kimono are far too small for me, especially vintage pieces. I either have to get very lucky, buy TL sizes from dealers on Rakuten, or have things custom-made. The costs increase quickly due to the increased amount of fabric needed. I also don't like that it's not an easy hobby for many people to get into (due to cost and practice time) and most people will not have the willpower to learn to do kitsuke properly. It's also hard to do many daily tasks while wearing kimono. Sadly, the kimono is not a functional garment for today's society.

Ume Kakeshita

I don't usually look at uchikake and kakeshita (since I really have no use for them), but I saw this lively ume kakeshita for $34 last night and thought, "This may just work for maiko henshin!" Since the hem is already padded, all I'll need to do is lengthen it and add tucks in the shoulder and sleeves. The design is bright, but since it's only ume and not a bunch of other clearly wedding designs, I think I can get away with it. ^_^