Dark Blue/Purple Geiko Hikizuri with Whirlpool Pattern

I found this hikizuri on Shinei today, and since I haven't bought any geiko hikizuri in quite a while, I snatched up this one. It does have some damage, but for the price, I am willing to try to repair what I can. Most of the fading/staining seems to be in a spot to be covered by the obi anyway (*UPDATE 1: The faded part in the center is actually not as bad as the photo, and it will be covered by the obi. The hole only through the outer layer of silk, but it is right on my bottom and can't be covered, but I still may be able to reinforce it a little). And of course, like 50% of the hikizuri I own, it's a blue tone (*UPDATE 2: It's more purple or blue depending on the light. In my apartment, it tends to be bright purple). Either that's what's mostly available or I like that color a lot. ^_^ They didn't picture the inside of the kimono, so I have no idea if it's hitoe or awase. I'm leaning toward awase because many hitoe hikizuri don't have a padded bottom, but it really could be either (*UPDATE 3: It's awase, just very thin - like right before you break out the hitoe). I'm having it shipped EMS, so hopefully it won't be too long before it's in my hands!

Detail shot of the design

Tsuki no Ie Okiya - Upcoming Misedashi

We have an upcoming misedashi (debut) for our newest performer at Tsuki no Ie Okiya this April, so I have been busily preparing (and spending lots of money...).

So far, we have accumulated these things:

A set of bekko kanzashi with crane and pine design (may actually be resin)

Another tama kanzashi. It's actually coral, though it looks kind of red here.

More bira oghi kanzashi

A black-based furisode, to which I will add our crest

We also have an obi that I have been working to make into a pretied darari for this - it's almost finished so photos will be posted later ^_^. We still have much to do!!!

Erikae Observations

(Source: http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/m12212356movie/31352359.html)

As I was flipping through images on a website about geiko, I kept noticing some girls with purple obijime for erikae (the geiko's debut). I guess that intrigued me, so I decided to look up what girls in different districts wore for erikae. They all had the same general presentation, but it was mostly the obijime and obiage that differentiated the districts.

Common factors:

• Black formal hikizuri
• Gold base obi
• Red nagajuban with gold design
• Geta (Usually senryou style, but could be toothed. A few wore zori for rainy weather.)
• White embroidered haneri
• Bekko and tama kanzashi
• Katsura with metal "wings" in back

District-specific factors (most common presentation):

• Gion Kobu (example - Kyouka)
• Red obiage with white or metallic embroidery
• White obijime
• Pontocho (example - Ichino)
• Red shibori obiage
• Purple obijime
• Miyagawacho (example - Toshimana)
• Plain red chirimen obiage
• Purple obijime
• Kamishichiken (example - Katsuru)
• Red shibori obiage
• White obijime
• Gion Higashi
• Not enough evidence to speculate

Unique factors (attributed to personal style preferences or unknown factors):

• Fukue (Miyagawacho) wore white obijime.
• Ichimomo (Kamishichiken) wore a white obiage with red embroidery.
• Hanao (shoe straps) were generally white or light pink with metallic underside, but some wore red.
• Some had a kanzashi unique to them (ex. Ayano with rose maezashi kanzashi)

If you have any other observations you'd like to share, please leave a comment!

Nanten Obi and Tatewaku Obi

I've been behaving relatively well on the kimono buying front, but I had to have these two obi. The first is a cream nagoya obi with nanten design. As far as I undertand, nanten is acceptable to wear November through February. I'd like to try to pair it with the snowflake komon in the previous post.

The second obi is a gold zentsuu fukuro obi with tatewaku design (this one was for dance). I actually plan on turning this one into a pre-tied darari obi for my geiko henshin group, Tsuki no Ie. I'll post pics when it's done.

Snowflake Semi-custom Kimono

Well, after looking at this fabric for over a year, I decided to buy it. Being on sale helped the decision. It's pale purple with a snowflake pattern.

Considering I own nothing with a winter motif, I finally broke when I saw there was only enough for one kimono left. It was a semi-custom order, so the seller will be making it into TL size for me. I also asked them to make it awase and chose a darker purple colored fabric for the hem lining. Because the pattern isn't particularly bold, I should be able to wear it for chaji this next year.

Updates to Helpful Hints

You may have noticed a few extra links in the sidebar to the right. I have added a page on sizing kimono and one on where to buy kimono. I hope you will find these helpful!

Obi Prize from Furicle - Kitsuke Photos

On Saturday, the obi I won from Furicle arrived. Part of the contest deal was that I had to take pictures wearing the obi for them. I paired it with this pine, pagoda, and bridge tsukesage.