A Work of Art

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Some months back, someone on Reddit posted about an amazing vintage poster they’d found at a thrift shop of a woman in a traditional woodblock-print style holding a fan made of colour swatches. The only info on it was the name of a printing company, and she was dubbed the Pantone Geisha. And of course, as someone with a graphic design background and a borderline-unhealthy special interest in Japanese art, I fell completely in love.

I spent eons trying to track down the poster,  or find some sort of accreditation other than the facility where it was printed, so I could buy a copy but to no avail.

So I gave in, decided to use that damn graphic design background, and make my own take on her and her delightful palette fan. With the support and encouragement of my friends, I worked on pushing the “arts” aspect even further by turning her mimikaki kanzashi into paintbrushes, making her kimono have a blueprint inspiration, and possibly the easiest to miss but my favourite detail, turning a fibonacci circle into another hair ornament. A bit of a watercolour splash in the background, and the portrait was done!

Since this is inspired by extant, unaccredited art, I don’t feel comfortable selling prints, but if you would like to print a copy of your own, you can get a high-resolution copy right here. And if you do, you can always consider supporting me in other ways, if you’d like.

Stepping out of my comfort zone

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In the more than two decades I’ve been studying, collecting, and coordinating kimono and Japanese arts and aesthetics, one thing I still find myself struggling with is Japanese colour palettes. I studied graphic design before I fell into this little rabbit hole, and my colour sensibilities are innately Western.

 

It’s possible you’ve seen this adorable little A Dictionary Of Color Combinations book on some fashion and personal style social media accounts lately, it’s gone somewhat viral, and for good reason. It’s less a book and more a collection of colour palettes that appeal to the Japanese aesthetic. If you’re ever stuck for inspiration, it’s a fantastic place to start. You can either open a random page and go from there, or if you have a piece in your collection you’re unsure of what to do with, there’s a handy index at the back. Find the swatch closest to your piece and then view all the options! That’s what I ended up doing here, with this gorgeous early-Showa komon I picked up at the Palm Springs vintage market a few months back.

 

 

I found this palette with the colour “Eugenia red”, which was about as close as I could find to the kimono. The complementary options were “Sulphine yellow”, “Green Blue”, and “Raw Sienna.” The obi is nearly spot-on for the sulphine yellow, and the other two colours show up in the obi motifs quite nicely. Would I normally have paired a red kimono with mustard and green accessories? Not in a million years! Was it successful? That’s for you to decide. I think it works, but it’s definitely not my favourite thing I’ve ever put together. I will definitely keep trying combos from this book though

Also if you’re curious about my manicure in the book pics, it’s Zoya Midori stamped with this Maniology sashiko plate. I was going for “matcha latte” vibes.

 

Items used in this coordination

 

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Review – Onigiri Shop Montreal West

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When I was younger, here in Montreal the only options for Japanese food locally were fancy expensive restaurants or the Teriyaki Experience in the mall food courts. It was still considered foreign and exotic and not really of appeal to a broader audience. As time went on, sushi became more prevalent and easily accessible, and then the ramen wave hit, and now Japanese fast casual is a staple in most urban environments. However, one thing I’d yet to see anywhere other than festivals or events put on by the JCCCM is onigiri, or seaweed-wrapped rice balls.

Enter Onigiri Shop — an adorable local chain that serves, you guessed it, onigiri (amongst other things). There’s one quite close to my house so a little while ago I took the opportunity to check it out and grab a couple of onigiri to try out. I’m very happy I did!

The location is tiny, but has everything they need and feels very charming. It’s actually within a few minutes of my old high school and I used to spend time here 25 years ago when it was a used bookstore! Since then it’s been a cupcake shop, and Indian takeout, a Jamaican takeout, and now Onigiri Shop. I hope they last a while, as the food was affordable and really tasty. I will say there is very little seating space, as it’s definitely intended as a take-out location, but they told me they’ll be putting seating outside when the weather gets nicer.

First off, can we appreciate the tiny adorable box they come packaged in? Both the onigiri I purchased fit snugly in there and felt very secure on the ride home. I just hope if you buy more you get a larger box. One way to find out. I guess I’ll have to go buy more!

I decided to sample one fairly standard and one more unique offering; I chose one with spicy tuna and one with kimchi and avocado, and they were both delicious. The rice is nice and well-seasoned and holds together well, and the fillings are bright and flavourful and there’s plenty of it. There’s a bit more seaweed than I was expecting but it helps the onigiri keep its shape while you’re eating it so I don’t mind. It worked nicely. I do look forward to trying some of the other options, as well as their non-onigiri menu items and desserts, maybe on the patio area in the summer if I am around.

Overall, I’m quite impressed with the food, price, and convenience of this location of Onigiri Shop. I’m curious to see how other locations compare, and how consistent they are. That’s always a toss-up when it comes to chain franchises. But I’m very glad to have another tasty grab-and-go option when I’m out and about!

Birthstone Ensembles – March – Aquamarine

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Welcome to the first/third installment of a year-long project. I’m determined to make a coordination every month that features the primary colour of one of that month’s commonly accepted birthstones. I say one of because many months have more than one accepted stone.

Should I have started this in January? Probably, yes. But I only got the idea a week or so ago, and here we are. I will be doing January and February’s shortly and backdating them. I will also have to do a few in advance, when I know I’ll be in California, but at least this way I’m guaranteed to get back to my roots and post at least one kimono ensemble per month, barring some unforeseen disaster like the Great Legsplosion of ’23 or some other such nonsense.

For March, we have the beautiful aquamarine. Not quite blue, not quite turquoise, but that ephemeral middle-ground. I knew I had to use this Taisho-era irotome, and the vintage mirror motif obi was a spot-on pairing. I love how it adds some sparkle and shimmer, very appropriate for a gemstone theme! I decided for a few hints of pink in the accessories because they’re already present in the kimono and read almost as neutral here. It also gave me an opportunity to use the amazing rainbow obiage I got from Chayatsuji Kimono recently. I am happy with how this all came together, and it gives me hope and encouragement for the rest of the project.

What’s your birthstone? Or, if you have several, which one do you prefer?

Items used in this coordination

Olfactory Journey Through Japan – Feat. Demeter Fragrance Library

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While I was continuing my hunt for a true sakura fragrance, I stumbled across Demeter’s incredibly wide selection of fascinating and unique perfumes. I knew I wanted to try their cherry blossom out, but I was also intrigued by a variety of their other offerings. I suspected that a lot of them would pair elegantly with kimono, and bring a whiff of Japan into your mundane daily life. I reached out, ready to purchase but hoping they could arrange a custom sample pack to save a bit of money. Imagine my pleased surprise when they kindly offered to send me a selection of my choice to review!

Without further ado come join me on a journey through the fragrant air of Japan, courtesy of Demeter Fragrance Library.

Black Tea

We start our day with a voyage, strong cup of black tea. With notes that balance toasty and floral, this is a comforting and familiar scent that will awaken your senses. Reminiscent of the perfect brew of wakoucha, this black tea fragrance is versatile and grounded, making it lovely by itself and an excellent base for layering.

purchase Black Tea here

Plum Blossom

While not as universally-beloved as her spring sister sakura, the ume or plum blossoms exploding across branches is one of the iconic images of late winter and coming spring — especially when paired with the charming bush warbler. Their scent is headier and richer, and a bit more mature, but no less transportive and this perfume captures that note perfectly. Minus the bush warbler, of course. If you’re looking for a deeper, slightly more complex floral then plum blossom might be for you!

purchase Plum Blossom here

Cherry Blossom

As late winter flows into spring, the sakura on the shores of the Kamo river burst into bloom. Their ephemeral, ethereal beauty is perhaps one of the most emblematic images of Japan. The gentle flush of pink, the flutter of a falling petal, but one thing that pictures can never capture is the clean, delicate, equally airy scent. This fragrance comes close — maybe the closest I’ve come yet. It dries down to a skin-like powdery note, nothing like the soapy chemical cherry blossoms I’ve tried in the past. The only thing preventing it from being the perfect sakura is that it finishes on a delectable rich cherry fruit note. I love it, but it does interrupt the gentleness of the blossom.

purchase Cherry Blossom here

Chrysanthemum

As autumn rolls around, so too does the chrysanthemum, the kiku, the imperial crest of Japan. She’s iconic, she’s timeless, she smells vaguely like a funeral home but in the best possible way. I would normally not feel comfortable making that comparison in a review, but seeing as how Demeter makes a Funeral Home fragrance already, it’s absolutely a compliment in this case. This fragrance captures both the deep spiciness of a pure white chrysanthemum and the bright herbaceous green of the stems and leaves. It’s a bit more unique and interesting than a pure floral would be, and all the better for it.

purchase Chrysanthemum here

Yuzu Marmalade

Next, we find ourselves in Kito, Tokushima province, where the climate produces the best yuzu in the world. Yuzu marmalade is a bright, invigorating fragrance, perfect for imbuing your day with happiness and cheer and bringing a smile to everyone around you. The scent is perfectly balanced between tangy citrus and sweet jammy goodness, and I can see myself falling back on this one time and time again when I need a pick-me-up.

purchase Yuzu Marmalade here

Green Tea

To refresh ourselves, we’ll make a stop at Gion Tsujiri for a cup of sencha. Bright and just a little bit grassy, with a hint of something crisp like pine or citrus? Not quite sharp, but definitely bracing in the best way. It definitely mellows out as you wear it, and envelops you in a gentle green.

purchase Green Tea here

Bamboo

Finally, we find ourselves in the lush bamboo forests of Arashiyama. Unfortunately, with something as personal and preference-based as fragrance, not everything is a winner. I was hoping this would be lush, bright, and verdant. However, on me it just smells oddly like dish soap. However, it smells completely different on my mother so she’s happy to steal it from me! It will not go to waste, but it is something to keep in mind whenever you’re buying perfume online.

purchase Bamboo here

Another great thing about most Demeter fragrances is how well they layer. Because they’re relatively single-note focused, there’s little worry about fragrance notes competing or clashing with each other. The two combos I’ve tried — and loved — were mixing Green Tea & Cherry Blossom, and Black Tea & Yuzu Marmalade. The first is bright, fresh, and perfect for spring whereas the second surrounds you in comforting warmth perfect for autumn. I fully intend to try other combinations as well. I suspect the black tea will also be incredible with the depth of the chrysanthemum and part of me wants to layer all three florals together to see what happens.

These mini sprays are the perfect size to toss in a purse and are very travel-friendly. Just make sure the caps are screwed on very tightly; the green tea one was slightly loose and leaked a bit.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the bulk of these, and the one that isn’t quite meshing with my body chemistry will find a happy home with my mum. Thank you again to Demeter Fragrance Library for making this possible. I encourage you to check them out if you’re a fan of singular and unique perfumes, be they wa or not.

 I received this item from the retailer or manufacturer for honest review purposes.If you have a topically appropriate craft, product, or service you would like me to review, please contact me.