Tag: modern

Hello Dolly, Goodbye Dolly

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When Dolly Parton passed a few weeks back, it hit me hard. She was a (literal) shining beacon of hope in these dark times. Even if it felt like nobody else out there loved you, you knew Dolly loved you whether she’d met you or not. She was a voice for the voiceless, and damn, what a voice that was. She stood for the smallest, the most downtrodden, the most overlooked of humanity with a smile and a sparkle, and the world is a lot dimmer without her rhinestones and glitter and kind, loving voice.

Even if you didn’t like her music style, there’s at least one Dolly Parton song you probably loved. Whether it was Jolene, Nine to Five, or I Will Always Love You, her music was at the forefront of pop culture regardless of how niche, dated, or “cringe” country music might be.

My original plan was to do a tribute to her as soon as possible, but I was swamped and not in a great state physically and was having trouble motivating myself. So when folks online began suggesting September 25th as Dolly Parton day (9/25 – Nine To Five) I knew it would be the right time to pull something together.

My original thought was pink, pink, pink, to go with her colourful, bubbly, and feminine style, but then I remembered this furisode with butterflies. Dolly identified with butterflies for most of her life, and they became something of a personal emblem for her. That, combined with the colour scheme of this kimono, which feels a bit like autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains, made this feel like the perfect choice. I draped it hikizuri-style and left it trailing dramatically, because that felt right for such a flashy stage performer.

I went with a similar palette for the obi and tied it in a great, fluffy, ornate sort of musubi. The obiage might look a little incongruous but I had to include a rainbow for her longstanding love and support of the LGBTQ+ community. Also, it ties in nicely with the uchikake.

While the uchikake itself isn’t exactly suitable or a great match for this outfit and it’s certainly a lot flashier than the one in the song, I couldn’t leave out my own personal coat of many colours, now could I?

In honour of Dolly, I encourage you to do something kind and positive for yourself and for your community. Personally, I will be making a small donation to the Imagination Library.

Items used in this coordination

Birthstone Ensembles – September – Sapphire

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Another middle of the month, another birthstone. This time we have the beautiful rich hues of September’s birthstone, the regal sapphire. Funny that my brain went to some of the most casual pieces in my collection for this one! But come on, if anything I own looks like a faceted blue gem, it’s this modern synthetic komon.

I did try to dress it up a little by improvising a sort of 💎-shaped musubi, but I’m not sure I was particularly effective. It’s cute but doesn’t convey a cut stone the way I was hoping for. I have to say though, this obi is a shockingly exact match for the light accents on this kimono, and both pieces are quite large and easy to wear, so maybe one day I can put this combination on myself or a friend.

It’s been a bit of a quiet month, I apologise. I’ve been busy with work as well as getting ready to head back down to California, but I’ve got a couple of very flashy coordinations lined up, plus more birthstone outfits and a couple of reviews so please bear with me and stick around. I really appreciate it!

Items used in this coordination

My Kokeshi Collection

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I didn’t set out to start collecting kokeshi ( 小芥子, こけし) dolls, but let’s be realistic — if you’re in any way involved in Japanese traditional arts it’s going to happen eventually. Whether it be gifts, souvenirs, impulse purchases, or any other myriad options, these charming little figurines will find their way into your heart and your home.

I’ve already posted about my Kimmidolls, which are a more modern Australian take on kokeshi-style figures, but as my actual kokeshi collection continues to grow, thanks in no small part to this incredible mystery bundle I got from the Los Angeles Toy, Doll and Amusements Museum, I figured it was time I gave these lovely ladies (and occasional gentleman) their moment in the spotlight.

Dento (Traditional) Kokeshi

Starting with the classic Tohoku-style lathe kokeshi most folks are familiar with, and including regional variations and tourist souvenir types. These tend to have the most “vintage” style faces and decorations.

Traditional Togatta (遠刈田)-style kokeshi

gifted by a local kimono vendor in Montreal, QC
 Yukinko (雪ん子) – Child in Snow kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Koke-shoe? Yukinko (雪ん子) – Child in Snow kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Three Fude (筆こけし) – Ink Brush kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Tall stylish kokeshi with packages and hat

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Tall skinny kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Twin girl kokeshi-nodda (nodding/bobble head)

gifted by restaurant owners in Montreal, QC
 Charming pair of kokeshi-nodda (nodding/bobble head)

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Couple on wooden base

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Adorable small kokeshi with landscape

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Small kokeshi with charming crab motif

LATDA kokeshi mystery box

Sosaku (Modern) Kokeshi

Still crafted by Japanese artisans, these fall under the modern style that became popular in the fifties and sixties. Their designs are more fluid, the shapes are more organic. This is personally my favourite style. I love how shapely they are, and tend to have an excellent and comforting feel when held.

Ume kokeshi with interesting shape, unmarked

thrifted in Oak Glen, CA
 Slender Usaburo kokeshi

thrifted in Montreal, QC
 Petite kokeshi with bob, unmarked

gifted by a friend
Carved kimono kokeshi by Takamizawa Kazuo

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Hanakasumi kokeshi by Artforum

gifted by a friend
 Diminutive unpainted round kokeshi

gifted by a friend

Alternative Kokeshi

These may include Japanese dolls that don’t fit elsewhere or kokeshi-inspired art dolls from around the world.

Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Elegant kokeshi by Canadian artist Christiane Bissonnette

thrifted in Montreal, QC
Frida Kahlo art doll Kokeshi by Lucie Kaas

purchased at Palm Springs Art Museum gift shop

Kokeshi-style trinket box, girl

purchased at Palm Springs Vintage Market
 Kokeshi-style trinket box, boy

purchased at Palm Springs Vintage Market
Mass-produced tourist kokeshi I bought because it looked like me in this outfit.

purchased in Montreal QC’s Chinatown district
 Teeeeny Tiny Kokeshi. You can view a close-up here. This one lives in this diorama now.

gifted by a friend

I do intend to get full 360 video of each of these beauties, since some of them have writing or fun details on alternate sides, but that’s a project for when I have more free time.

Because I am nothing if not shameless, I do have a wishlist of easily-available kokeshi on Amazon right now too. I am also on the hunt for the Usaburo Kuromi and may snag her soon, as well as Lucie Kaas Vincent Van Gogh but it’s not available at any North American retailers I can find at the moment.

By Any Other Name

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I found this charming rose furisode at the same time as I got the absolutely unctuous brown houmongi recently. As a married woman in her mid-forties, did I need yet another furisode? Heck no. Was I going to let that stop me? Also no. I love how subtle and demure it is, especially for a furisode. And the price was fantastic.

My beloved emerald and gold hakata packs a nice punch against the muted creme tone of the kimono, and pink accessories were a no-brainer. I’d love to get an actual rose obidome or obi-kazari to go with it, but this gold and sakura piece works in the meantime. I feel like this is a good “mature” furisode outfit, especially if I were to tie the obi in something a bit less large and fluffy next time.

The kimono is quite new so I don’t have a catalogue photo for it, but weirdly I don’t seem to have one for this sanbuhimo either? Which is odd, because I’ve had it for eons. One day I’ll get my collection catalogue up to date. One day…

Items used in this coordination

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.