Sakura Kitsuke

Josh and I had another one of our casual "basic" tea ceremonies this weekend. We usually have one once a month that our sensei does not attend (he lives in Ohio and flies down once a month), and it's more for introducing the public to the basics of tea ceremony. They are super casual, so I usually use the chance to wear more casual kimono instead of the more plain iromuji for our other classes.

Today, I took advantage of the chic tea ceremony principle of wearing motifs slightly early. I chose a pink komon with stripes and sakura, a green gingham obi, a peach obiage, a cream sanbuhimo, and a pink rose obidome (made by me). The green and the peach colors were chosen to bring out those tones in the design.

Also wore this new double sakura kanzashi I got from Kimonomachi. Just an extra touch of spring! =D

 Josh wore his light blue kimono and black hakama, and modernized it a bit with a neat hat. I love it!!

 Silly picture of Josh "praising" the moon. He's a night person lol XD

Blue Botan Kakeshita and Pink Rose Yukata

It's been over a month since my last post! Time got away from me this past month!!

So here's just an update here on what I've bought recently:

A blue kakeshita with red and white botan:

And a black-based yukata with pink roses (and silver glitter!!):

I didn't need the kakeshita for any real reason other than I just wanted it ;) (well, maybe I'll use it for a maiko henshin since it's not as obvious of a kakeshita as some), nor did I really need the yukata, but my dance group is performing again for our local sakura festival at the end of the month, and almost everyone is wearing black-based flowery yukata. I have about 10 yukata, but none fitting that description, so I found this in a TL and well... it'll be here next week XD.

おいしい Japan! at the Memphis Botanic Garden

Today, we got to experience "おいしい Japan!" (おいしい [oishii] means "delicious" in Japanese). I wore my new pink ume komon to the event. I bought it a few weeks ago because I realized I owned virtually nothing with a February theme, with the exception of a blue haneri with ume design. I wore the aforementioned haneri, a blue striped share fukuro obi, and pink obiage and obijime.

There was mochi pounding, TONS of Japanese food, some cute gifts for sale, sushi demonstration, and sushi knowledge contest. I got many complements on my kimono and got to see many of my tea ceremony and University of Memphis friends. We had a great time, and look forward to it next year!

Anime Blues Winterfest Remix - First time out in furisode!

This past Saturday was our local con's mini-con, the Anime Blues Winterfest Remix. While most people came in cosplay, I decided to use the day to wear my red furisode. The con was held at the Memphis Botanic Garden, and since I knew I would have access to the Japanese garden, I figured I would take plenty of pictures. It was the first time I have been out wearing furisode, so I got up super early to get everything ready. Despite trying to be meticulous, we did make one big oopsie... My tateya musubi is backward! BUT I had Josh tie my obi, and it was his first time tying, so honestly, I'm just so proud that it looks so nice otherwise! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Formal Black Hikizuri

I am so excited (and shocked) that I won this today on eBay. It's a formal black crested hikizuri. I have been searching for a while now for a geisha's and maiko's formal hiki, but most prices have been too high for me. This one ended up costing $225 with shipping, which really is a deal, considering most hikis of good condition sell over $500. That being said, it is the most expensive kimono that I have bought to date. I may have to eat ramen all month long, but it was worth it in my opinion. =)

Mon for Darari Obi

Some of you may know that I founded a kimono-san troupe in Memphis this past year. I've been gradually collecting supplies, and while I had a pre-tied darari obi, it had no crest. So yesterday, I finally sat down and sewed the one I created for our group onto it. It is a kikyo (Chinese bellflower) underneath a moon. I found matching orange fabric, and then used gold ribbon for the lines and gold lamé for the crest. I hope you like it!

First purchases of 2013

Techinically, I purchased this first item on Dec. 31... It's a new kurotomesode. After trying mine on the other day, I remembered how small it actually is. This one is several inches larger. I am considering turning the old one into a hikizuri, if I ever get the time or will.



My first actual purchase of 2013 is this beautiful ro silk bolt. I just fell in love with the bright colors and vivid design. I hope it's long enoug for me, but if not, I'll find something to do with it. =)