2nd Kitsune club meeting minutes

This meeting we practiced dressing in yukata and folding kimono with the help of members of the AJS.
-Emerald introduced the differences between formal 'kimono school' style and 'street style.'

The difference between (image on the left) - a seijinshiki (coming of age day) formal ensemble that took 3 hours for hair, makeup and kitsuke - and (image on the left) - a komon (all over pattern kimono) with heels and white wig informal ensemble put together for the cosplay catwalk. The first is very bulky using lots of towels to get my curvey western body all the one shape from hips to bust. The second uses no towels and binding cords (datejime) to surpress the bust. Both outfits use a fukuro obi (formal sash).

-Member Rebecca and Emerald did a kistuke demonstration showing two ways to dress in yukata using himo (strings), datejime and corin belts. Emerald showed how to tie a hanhaba obi (half width obi) into a bunkyou musubi (a bow like knot that is used with yukata and worn under hakama).

-The group tried on yukata supplied by Emerald, Miriam and Hitomi or wore their own. Those who had experience in kitsuke were able to help those in the group who had less (or no) experience.

-The possibility of a kimono event was raised with Barbara making the fantastic suggestion that we should aim for a display in the Morris Miller Library.

-Affiliation with the UTAS student union was raised and it was decided that we should affiliate.

-The group learnt how to fold kimono and yukata and helped to put the yukata away.

Sorry for the lateness of these very brief minutes. Thank you to everyone who helped look for my manky brown datejime. It somehow made its way into my bag when I wasn't looking so all is well! Thank you to those who attended and helped to make it a good meeting. Thank you for baring with me while I made way through the meeting without the help of Hitomi sensei who was sick.

19 July 2011 Committee meeting minutes

Committee members present: Hitomi, Emerald, Cass.
Meeting opened 5.30 pm
-Discussed the aims for the club (to learn how to wear kimono, to wear kimono out in a group, to host a kimono event).
-Discussed topic for the next meeting - how to wear yukata, and decided that Emerald would lead the session and do a kitsuke demonstration. The group would then try dressing themselves.
-Discussed which obi musubi (sash ties) to teach and decided on the 'bunkyou' for the next meeting with Nagoya obi ties to come at a later meeting.
-Discussed possible events and venues for a kimono themed event. Ideas included a Kimono Showcase at Lazenbys supported by other Asia centric clubs around the university.
-Discussed affiliation with the university to become a university society.
Meeting closed 7.00pm

Apologies for the tardiness of these (very brief) minutes. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to leave a comment here or at the facebook page. E

Stepping out in style

New contributor here! It's Cassandra from the Exec, Midori was nice enough to let me contribute to the blog. It may be a little early to start discussing footwear but I can't help it. I love shoes!
Midori and I were talking about how to add some semblance of a ohashori (the fold at the hips) to your outfit if it's too short by pulling your kimono / yukata higher than you usually would and showing more of your feet and ankles.

One great way to make use of all this extra viewing area is to wear some funky shoes. While geta and zori are traditional you can add some flair to your outfit by trying something different. Heels and boots look great with outfits that have kimono and yukata pulled higher than usual and dressy sandals and wedges look great peaking out from underneath. Here are a few examples of kitsuke using non-traditional footwear:

The silver heels in the middle are a classic example of using minor accessories to help colour coordinate your outfit. The silver of the heels match her obi and the little silver design on her outfit perfectly. Her shoes also make her outfit a little more 'dressy' than a regular pair of geta would.


I'm including this collage because I love it. Her boots work with both the pink and the black hakama. With the pink outfit her shoes match because her black gloves balance the mix of darker tones with the bright colours. Your eyes are not immediately drawn to her shoes, they're a lovely touch without over-powering the look.
With the black hakama her boots almost emerge seamlessly out from underneath, giving her feet a beautiful, slender appearance.

So when you're all planning your next outfit look at your shoe collection and experiment a little. Who knows what you can come up with using things you already have in your own wardrobe!
-Cass

I love wearing shoes with kimono! It's hard for me to find kimono that are the right length. However, by wearing western shoes (high heels and boots) I'm able to wear my kimono and hakama shorter (above ankle to mid calf if I'm feeling daring) than if I was wearing geta or formal zori (which demand that the kimono hem is no higher than the top of the foot). Wearing western accessories with kimono date back to the Meiji period! - E

Feature in UNITAS

We were featured in UNITAS (The University of Tasmania's monthly publication)
You can find the article at the UTAS Media website

Next Meeting 22July 2011

There will be a video link between the Launceston and Hobart campuses of the University of Tasmania.
In this meeting we will practice dressing in yukata. If you have one, please bring it along although there will be some garments available to borrow.