Author: Diane

Shifuku and Usagi Houmongi

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If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ve technically already seen this particular kimono, when I wore it out to the park (and then subsequently dinner, but I did not take photos of that) a few weeks back. I finally had some time to take proper catalogue photographs, and it’s a piece that really needs to be appreciated in detail.

The kimono is a subtle pastel gradient. I honestly did not even notice the gentle lavender at the shoulders until I hung it up to take the reference photos. The gold is also really soft and gentle. I don’t typically like large areas of gold leaf on a kimono, but on this one it’s not in-your-face.

However, the real magic is the embroidery on the front panels. I was informed that they are shifuku, or silk pouches used to protect items used during tea ceremony. The embroidery is done entirely in french knots, a technique known as saraga nui. I cannot imagine the time, patience, and skill required to do this.

The most special shifuku in my eyes is by far the one with the adorable white rabbit on it. It’s the sole reason I bought the kimono. He’s just so charming and quirky, on what is otherwise a very subdued and mature kimono.

Book Review – Okimono Kimono

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Okimono Kimono CoverOkimono Kimono
by Mokona CLAMP
ISBN-10: 1-59582-456-1
Language: English
Dark Horse Comics listing
Amazon.com listing

I had been lusting after this book for quite some time. I was initially planning on buying the original Japanese version and looking at the pictures, but then a friend alerted me to the news that they were working on an English translation so I held back, keeping an eye on the release date. For whatever reason, the date got pushed back. And pushed back. And pushed back again. From mid-March straight through to early June. But the wait is over, and a copy is in my grubby little hands! Well worth it, too!

The book is divided into sections, including photoshoots with art kimono painted by Mokona, outfit inspirations and suggestions, an adorable interview with Ami of PuffyAmiYumi where they discuss kimono, photographs of her collections, an interview with Katsumi Yumioka and some lovely outdoor photoshoots.

Mokona’s style is a great blend of vintage and modern, and she always encourages injecting your own personality into outfits, and to relax and have fun. This sort of book is a refreshing change from the austere regulatory style of things like The Book of Kimono or magazines like Utsukushii Kimono.

There are, however, no how-to guides, no tutorials, and no listings of what is necessary to wear kimono. There are selections of accessories and photos of kimono, but this is not a book for people learning how to dress in any manner. It is for people who already know the foundations and are looking to inject new life into their personal look.

I would recommend this book for:


-People looking for cute and unique outfit inspiration.
-Fans of CLAMP.
-People looking to experiment and have fun with their kimono.
-People who appreciate vintage kimono and are unafraid of colour and pattern.

I would not recommend this book for:


-People learning how to dress in kimono.
-People looking for traditional or formal kimono style.
-People who prefer understated looks.

 

This post contains affiliate link(s). If you choose to purchase, I receive a small rebate or commission which goes to the continued maintenance of this site.

Musings on Iromuji

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Iromuji are probably the most versatile kimono you can own. They are solid-coloured kimono, either uncrested or single-crested. They can be worn relatively casually with a simple nagoya obi, or dressed up with a formal fukuro obi. They’re appropriate for everything from religious observances to tea ceremonies to weddings (if they’re crested), and their solid colour serves as a great backdrop for showing of really spectacular obi.

They’re a great investment, both for someone with a large collection looking to expand and for someone just starting out.

I have three, but I would definitely like to invest in more in the future.

Mint-green iromuji with watery rinzu


The auction photos when I purchased this gave it a much more ice blue cast, but I can’t say I’m disappointed in the lovely minty green shade of this particular kimono. The textured rinzu weave is so lush that it almost looks like different colours. I’ve paired this up with several obi that are difficult to work with, and it always manages to work out great.

Rose-pink Iromuji


This is an amazingly flattering soft pink. I’ve only worn it out once, but I felt really girly in it, without it being overbearing. It also makes a great foil for several of my obi I had lying around that didn’t match anything I had before.

Leaf-green Iromuji


I love the weave on this one, it’s covered in tiny little houses, bridges, and trees. The silk also has this amazing, nearly-iridescent quality to it. In some lights it leans yellow-green, in other lights it’s got a subtle blue cast. I tried to capture both in the photographs, but did not quite succeed. Unfortunately, this piece is small for me. Not so small that I can’t wear it, but it can get a bit messy after wearing it for a while. Luckily, it fits my friend Amelie really well, and looks great on her!

Trip to the park in a bunny houmongi

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I’m back! Sort of! I’m still not 100% better, they’re working on figuring out exactly what is wrong with me. Fun fun. However, I do have a bit more energy now, so when this adorable houmongi with french knot embroidery and a bunny arrived this morning, I decided to tackle it with gusto! I paired it up with a greeny blue fukuro obi with pinkish lavender lines and my blue and red shibori obiage and hakata obijime. A pair of gold and red zori pulled out the gold leaf accents on the kimono nicely.

Astute readers may have noticed something slightly different about my hair 😉 Being trapped inside the house on sick leave for extended periods apparently makes me do wacky things.


In case you’re wondering what my earrings are, they are turquoise Calaveras (day of the dead skulls) with roses in their eyes, from Polished Two on Etsy. They arrived this morning as well, and were the exact same colours as the embroidery on the kimono. I figured I had to wear them.

And in honour of the recently departed Gary Coleman, RIP.
What’chu talkin’ bout, Willis?

For more images, and larger versions, please check out My Flickr.

Bit of a break

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I’m sorry I haven’t posted in several weeks, and this will probably be my last post for a while yet. I was diagnosed with strep throat a while back and have been taking it easy, and earlier today was diagnosed with Post-infectious glomerulonephritis which isn’t as scary as it sounds, but still makes me really worn-out and groggy. I’m definitely not up to dressing in kimono for a little while 🙁

I’ll be back soon, I hope.