More giant zori!

I bought some 26.5cm zori a couple months back, and today, I bought more of the colors!

They're sort of mirrors of each other, huh?

Big Feet Problems...

Even for an American woman, I have larger than average feet (not to mention being taller than most women as well). That has always made kimono a very difficult hobby, and I have had to compromise for many things. I finally started finding more kimono that were taller and decently priced, but shoes have been a little more elusive. For me to get the size I really need, it's rare for shoes to be in my price range - if they're even available. I have found ways to make smaller shoes more comfortable (loosening the hanao, for example), but of course, the look is a little off.

Today, I got very lucky though! I was watching the Begin Japanology documentary on geta and zori, and I decided to look around for new zori. I was shocked that in the very first page of my search to come across a seller who has my size AND for an affordable price! While not all the colors were available in my size, the two colors I really wanted were.

I hope they arrive quickly!

Yellow Sha Hanhaba Obi and Leaf Zori

Summer's end isn't too far away, so stores are starting to put last season's items on sale. For whatever reason, I have wanted a sha or ro hanhaba obi. One of my favorite sellers on Rakuten had this one marked down 70%! I was very pleased ^_^. It's pale yellow sha with an ichimatsu design.

They also have two other designs and four other colors. It should be here in time for me to enjoy before the summer is over.

Also, I have been meaning to get new zori for some time now, but with large Western feet, I often cannot find zori for a decent price. Kimono Machi has had these for a while, but I didn't bite until now. My new pretties!

There was also a pair of baby pink zori that were the same size and only slightly more expensive that I pondered, but I have many more occasions to wear kimono casually than I do formally, and those would have seen little use. These will be perfect for autumn, but the pastel colors also would work for spring.

2 New Pairs of LL Zori: Red and Purple

As the title suggests, I purchased two pairs of LL zori tonight. They're synthetic, so no worries about getting these babies wet. I tried to buy colors I don't have. Purple I definitely own none of. As for red, I own a more casual pair with red and blue hanao and a red base, but I needed all red for the Botan cosplay. Plus, they're pretty lol. Here they are:

 Simple, yet pretty. ^_^

Selling My Stuff on eBay!!! Plus, New Zori and Tsukuri Obi!

I just moved into my new house a week and a half ago, and in moving, I saw that there were a lot of kimono and kitsuke items that I either did not use or the style no longer suits my tastes. So I listed many things on eBay. You can view them here.

I also decided to buy some nicer zori that I found on sale on Rakuten for 1500¥. It was one of those love at first sight moments, so I hope I have something to match!



I also picked up this faux shibori tsukuri obi for 500¥. It's simple in design and will be easy to put on in a time crunch, so I'm satisfied ^_^.

Kimono Wishlist

I need to give my buying more direction so that I can stop making bids on things I don't need... So here's the list, as it stands right now (* = want most or need soon, • = want, but not needed soon):

* White and gold flat obijime
• Royal or navy blue obiage and obijime
• Light yellow obiage
* Orange obijime and obiage
• Light purple obi
* Light blue obiage
• Another fukuro obi to go with my kurotomesode
• Light blue obi
• Green iromuji
• Gold brocade zori
• L or LL zori (purple, pink, blue)
* Stretch white tabi

New Beauties!

I won a few new items yesterday on eBay. I really needed all of the items, and I got everything for a steal! The first and most important thing I won was a pair of white size L zori. These are vinyl and will match for almost any occasion!


Next, I got a white, pink, and light blue juban with 22 inch (56 cm) sodetake, because the orange tsukesage I own has longer sode, therefore not fitting my other juban with shorter sode.







Then, I got a pink obiage with sakura blossoms embroidered on it. I needed a color that would coordinate with many different outfits, so I figured that a light pink would be just the thing. Now I need a pink obijime to match. I'm on the hunt right now! XD



Last, a package of gold mizuhiki for my kanzashi creations.







Probably the best buy of the whole thing was the obiage. I only paid $1.80 for it! I am really surprised that I didn't get outbid on it, especially since my max bid was only $5, but hey, I'm not complaining! The shoes were also a shock, because everyone wants plain white zori. I only paid $8 for those. Another surprise because they are a size L which is harder to find. This same seller had them for $30 on his website, so I saved a lot by winning the bid. I just can't wait until all my things arrive, but since they are coming SAL, I expect it to take a while. :(