Festival Yatai MTL! and yukata outing

What’s this? Another outing for yours truly?! It feels good getting back into the swing of things. This weekend a friend was in town, and the first Yatai MTL! street food festival was happening, so we decided to go in yukata. Since she was visiting from a ways away, I lent her one… Continue reading Festival Yatai MTL! and yukata outing

Ariel – Disney Princess Kitsuke Project

🎵Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?🎵 Six weeks ago, I found a kimono on ebay that was perfectly reminiscent of Belle’s yellow ballgown from Beauty & The Beast. I snatched it up, and thus the ridiculous Disney Princess Kitsuke Project was born. I spent the following weeks plotting out coordinations for every single one… Continue reading Ariel – Disney Princess Kitsuke Project

Art Gallery – Fuji Musume Doll (and repairs)

You may have seen the little souvenir doll I fixed up recently, and maybe even the ceramic hakata-style dancer I refinished, but this pretty Fuji Musume has been waiting for her moment in the spotlight since February of 2016! She had a very brief cameo on my Instagram account but has been in hiding ever since,… Continue reading Art Gallery – Fuji Musume Doll (and repairs)

Lush Peony Ikebana

It’s been incredibly hot and muggy and rainy out here lately. While it’s not particularly fun for me it’s been fantastic for the garden! I managed to catch this vivid pink peony at the ideal time; it’s blousy and open without a hint of decay on it yet. I knew I wanted to balance it… Continue reading Lush Peony Ikebana

Ichiroya Vendor Spotlight

Welcome to a new feature here on Kimono Tsuki! While I have shared shopping tips and tricks before, I often receive questions asking if a particular vendor online is a reliable source and I thought it would be beneficial to shine a spotlight on some of the excellent vendors and dealers out there. For the… Continue reading Ichiroya Vendor Spotlight

Current Japanese Micro-Season

[time-restrict on=”2025-12-22″ off=”2026-01-05″]
冬至 Tōji – Winter solstice:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2025-12-22″ off=”2025-12-27″]
乃東生 – Natsukarekusa shōzu
Self-heal Sprouts[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2025-12-27″ off=”2026-01-01″]
麋角解 – Sawashika no tsuno otsuru
Deer Shed their Antlers[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-01″ off=”2026-01-05″]
雪下出麦 – Yuki watarite mugi nobiru
Beneath the Snow, Wheat Sprouts[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-05″ off=”2026-01-20″]
小寒 Shōkan – Lesser cold:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-05″ off=”2026-01-09″]
芹乃栄 – Seri sunawachi sakau
Parsley flourishes[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-09″ off=”2026-01-14″]
水泉動 – Shimizu atataka o fukumu
Springs Thaw[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-14″ off=”2026-01-20″]
雉始雊 – Kiji hajimete naku
Pheasants start to call[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-20″ off=”2026-02-03″]
大寒 Daikan (Greater cold):[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-20″ off=”2026-01-25″]
款冬華 – Fuki no hana saku
Butterburs bud[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-25″ off=”2026-01-29″]
水沢腹堅 – Kiwamizu kōri tsumeru
Ice thickens on streams[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-29″ off=”2026-02-03″]
鶏始乳 – Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku
Hens start laying eggs[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-03″ off=”2026-02-19″]
立春 Risshun (Beginning of spring):[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-03″ off=”2026-02-08″]
東風解凍 – Harukaze kōri o toku
East wind melts the ice[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-08″ off=”2026-02-14″]
黄鶯睍睆 – Kōō kenkan su
Bush warblers start singing in the mountains[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-14″ off=”2026-02-19″]
魚上氷 – Uo kōri o izuru
Fish emerge from the ice[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-19″ off=”2026-03-05″]
雨水 Usui (Rainwater):[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-19″ off=”2026-02-24″]
土脉潤起 – Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru
Rain moistens the soil[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-24″ off=”2026-02-28″]
霞始靆 – Kasumi hajimete tanabiku
Mist starts to linger[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-02-28″ off=”2026-03-05″]
草木萌動 – Sōmoku mebae izuru
Grass sprouts, trees bud[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-05″ off=”2026-03-20″]
啓蟄 Keichitsu – Insects awaken:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-05″ off=”2026-03-10″]
蟄虫啓戸 – Sugomori mushito o hiraku
Hibernating insects surface[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-10″ off=”2026-03-15″]
桃始笑 – Momo hajimete saku
First peach blossoms[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-15″ off=”2026-03-20″]
菜虫化蝶 – Namushi chō to naru
Caterpillars become butterflies[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-20″ off=”2026-04-05″]
春分 Shunbun – Spring equinox:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-20″ off=”2026-03-25″]
雀始巣 – Suzume hajimete sukū
Sparrows start to nest[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-25″ off=”2026-03-30″]
櫻始開 – Sakura hajimete saku
First cherry blossoms[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-03-30″ off=”2026-04-05″]
雷乃発声 – Kaminari sunawachi koe o hassu
Distant thunder[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-05″ off=”2026-04-20″]
清明 Seimei – Pure and clear:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-05″ off=”2026-04-10″]
玄鳥至 – Tsubame kitaru
Swallows return[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-09″ off=”2026-04-15″]
鴻雁北 – Kōgan kaeru
Wild geese fly north[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-15″ off=”2026-04-20″]
虹始見 – Niji hajimete arawaru
First rainbows[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-20″ off=”2026-05-05″]
穀雨 Kokuu – Grain rains:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-20″ off=”2026-04-25″]
葭始生 – Ashi hajimete shōzu
First reeds sprout[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-25″ off=”2026-04-29″]
霜止出苗 – Shimo yamite nae izuru
Last frost, rice seedlings grow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-04-29″ off=”2026-05-05″]
牡丹華 – Botan hana saku
Peonies bloom[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-05″ off=”2026-05-21″]
立夏 Rikka – Beginning of summer:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-05″ off=”2026-05-10″]
蛙始鳴 – Kawazu hajimete naku
Frogs start singing[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-10″ off=”2026-05-15″]
蚯蚓出 – Mimizu izuru
Worms surface[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-15″ off=”2026-05-21″]
竹笋生 – Takenoko shōzu
Bamboo shoots sprout[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-21″ off=”2026-06-05″]
小満 Shōman – Lesser ripening:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-21″ off=”2026-05-26″]
蚕起食桑 – Kaiko okite kuwa o hamu
Silkworms start feasting on mulberry leaves[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-05-26″ off=”2026-06-01″]
紅花栄 – Benibana sakau
Safflowers bloom[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-01″ off=”2026-06-05″]
麦秋至 – Mugi no toki itaru
Wheat ripens and is harvested[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-05″ off=”2026-06-21″]
芒種 Bōshu – Grain in Ears:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-05″ off=”2026-06-10″]
蟷螂生 – Kamakiri shōzu
The Praying Mantis Hatches[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-10″ off=”2026-06-16″]
腐草為螢 – Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru
Fireflies Rise from Rotten Grass[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-16″ off=”2026-06-21″]
梅子黄 – Ume no mi kibamu
The Plums Turn Yellow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-21″ off=”2026-07-07″]
夏至 Geshi – Summer Solstice:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-21″ off=”2026-06-26″]
乃東枯 – Natsukarekusa karuru
The Self-Heal Flower Dries[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-06-26″ off=”2026-07-01″]
菖蒲華 – Ayame hana saku
The Iris Blooms[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-01″ off=”2026-07-07″]
半夏生 – Hange shōzu
The Crow-Dipper Sprouts[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-07″ off=”2026-07-22″]
小暑 Shōsho – Minor Heat:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-07″ off=”2026-07-12″]
温風至 – Atsukaze itaru
Warm Winds Blow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-12″ off=”2026-07-17″]
蓮始開 – Hasu hajimete hiraku
The First Lotus Blossoms[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-17″ off=”2026-07-22″]
鷹乃学習 – Taka sunawachi waza o narau
Young Hawk Learns to Fly[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-23″ off=”2026-08-07″]
大暑 Taisho – Greater heat:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-23″ off=”2026-07-28″]
桐始結花 – Kiri hajimete hana o musubu
The First Paulownia Fruit Ripens[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-07-29″ off=”2026-08-03″]
土潤溽暑 – Tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi
Damp Earth, Humid Heat[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-03″ off=”2026-08-07″]
大雨時行 – Taiu tokidoki furu
Great Rains Sometimes Fall[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-07″ off=”2026-08-23″]
立秋 Risshū – Beginning of autumn:
[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-07″ off=”2026-08-13″]
涼風至 – Suzukaze itaru
Cool Winds Blow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-13″ off=”2026-08-18″]
寒蝉鳴 – Higurashi naku
The Evening Cicadas Sing[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-18″ off=”2026-08-23″]
蒙霧升降 – Fukaki kiri matō
Thick Fog Blankets the Sky[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-23″ off=”2026-09-08″]
処暑 Shosho – Manageable Heat:
[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-23″ off=”2026-08-28″]
綿柎開 – Wata no hana shibe hiraku
Cotton Flowers Bloom[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-08-28″ off=”2026-09-02″]
天地始粛 – Tenchi hajimete samushi
Earth and Sky Begin to Cool[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-02″ off=”2026-09-08″]
禾乃登 – Kokumono sunawachi minoru
Rice Ripens[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-08″ off=”2026-09-23″]
白露 Hakuro – White dew:
[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-08″ off=”2026-09-13″]
草露白 – Kusa no tsuyu shiroshi
White Dew Glistens on Grass
[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-13″ off=”2026-09-18″]
鶺鴒鳴 – Sekirei nakui
Wagtails Sing[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-18″ off=”2026-09-23″]
玄鳥去 – Tsubame saru
The Swallows Leave[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-23″ off=”2026-10-08″]
秋分 Shūbun – Autumn equinox:
[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-23″ off=”2026-09-28″]
雷乃収声 – Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu
Thunder Lowers its Voice[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-09-28″ off=”2026-10-03″]
蟄虫坏戸 – Insects Hole Up Underground
Wagtails Sing[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-03″ off=”2026-10-08″]
水始涸 – Mizu hajimete karuru
Farmers Drain the Rice Paddies[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-08″ off=”2026-10-23″]
寒露 Kanro – Cold dew:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-08″ off=”2026-10-13″]
鴻雁来 – Kōgan kitaru
Wild Geese Return[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-13″ off=”2026-10-18″]
菊花開 – Kiku no hana hiraku
Chrysanthemums Bloom[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-18″ off=”2026-10-23″]
蟋蟀在戸 – Kirigirisu to ni ari
The Grasshopper Sings[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-23″ off=”2026-11-07″]
霜降 Sōkō – Frost falls:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-23″ off=”2026-10-29″]
霜始降 – Shimo hajimete furu
The First Frost[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-10-29″ off=”2026-11-02″]
霎時施 – Kosame tokidoki furu
Light Rains Sometimes Fall[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-02″ off=”2026-11-07″]
楓蔦黄 – Momiji tsuta kibamu
Maple and Ivy Turn Yellow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-07″ off=”2026-11-22″]
立冬 Rittō – Beginning of winter:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-07″ off=”2026-11-12″]
山茶始開 – Tsubaki hajimete hiraku
The First Camellia Blooms[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-12″ off=”2026-11-17″]
地始凍 – Chi hajimete kōru
The Land Begins to Freeze[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-17″ off=”2026-11-22″]
金盞香 – Kinsenka saku
Daffodils Bloom[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-22″ off=”2026-12-07″]
小雪 Shōsetsu – Lesser snow:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-22″ off=”2026-11-27″]
虹蔵不見 – Niji kakurete miezu
Rainbows Hide[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-11-27″ off=”2026-12-02″]
朔風払葉 – Kitakaze konoha o harau
North Wind Brushes the Trees[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-02″ off=”2026-12-07″]
橘始黄 – Tachibana hajimete kibamu
Tachibana Leaves Turn Yellow[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-07″ off=”2026-12-22″]
大雪 Taisetsu – Greater snow:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-07″ off=”2026-12-12″]
閉塞成冬 – Sora samuku fuyu to naru
The Sky is Cold, Winter Begins[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-12″ off=”2026-12-17″]
熊蟄穴 – Kuma ana ni komoru
Bears Retreat to their Dens[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-17″ off=”2026-12-22″]
鱖魚群 – Sake no uo muragaru
Salmon Gather to Swim Upstream[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-22″ off=”2026-01-05″]
冬至 Tōji – Winter solstice:[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-22″ off=”2026-12-27″]
乃東生 – Natsukarekusa shōzu
Self-heal Sprouts[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-12-27″ off=”2026-01-01″]
麋角解 – Sawashika no tsuno otsuru
Deer Shed their Antlers[/time-restrict]

[time-restrict on=”2026-01-01″ off=”2026-01-05″]
雪下出麦 – Yuki watarite mugi nobiru
Beneath the Snow, Wheat Sprouts[/time-restrict]