furifu new line out! and other general news

just a quick note to say thank you to everyone who made it to, what i think, has been one of the best meetings so far!
thank you to Noe for sharing her invaluable kitsuke knowledge.
i'll have the minutes for both this meeting and the committee meeting up very soon.
don't forget that next meeting we will hopefully be heading out and about in kimono or yukata (which gives everyone a chance to buy underwear if they need it ... you know who you are!!)
in the mean time ... check out the new kimono line by my favourite brand, furifu. while their prices are out of most of our range (unless the Japanese government is paying your rent for you), their coordination is beautiful and a good source of inspiration.
http://furifu.com/collection/ (in Japanese with some English)


- Emerald

Kabuki Workshop - October 1st

VENUE CHANGE: This event will now be held at the CENTENARY LECTURE THEATRE

On the October 1st there will be a Kabuki workshop at the unicenter.204 Studio Theatre, where Noe Shimizu will be giving a speech, an Iai (Traditional Japanese Sword Martial Art) demonstration, Kabuki make-up, and a dance where those interested will be given the chance to participate.

More details at the event's facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=229478263766899

The BIG rule

At the last Kitsune meeting I introduced an idea that I'd been playing around with to do with kitsuke - more specifically ideas about getting the right length and proportions during kitsuke.
I call this the BIG rule and it goes a little like this:

The length of you kimono depends on a combination of the following: how is BIG the garment?; how BIG is the wearer?; how BIG is the event/occasion?; how BIG are the shoes being worn with the garment?

For example, most of my kimono are too small for my 174cm frame. To combat this, I tend to wear them with high-heels which, as discussed earlier, means that I can wear my kimono slightly shorter than is strictly proper.

The more formal an event, the longer a kimono should be worn. Informal yukata should be worn so that they fall somewhere between the top of the ankles and the top of the foot. For a formal kimono, the kimono should just skim the floor at the back of the heel. If you are wearing kimono with zori (formal platform thongs) then the kimono should just touch the zori. Zori also fall under the BIG rule as they have a higher platform as events become more formal.

This 'rule' should be taken as a rough guide only. There are volumes of books dedicated to what the proper length of a kimono is depending on the situation. This is simply something that helps me when I'm dressing.

-E

Next Meeting - Friday 16 September

The next meeting is fast approaching! This time we will be practicing kitsuke with yukata and hanahaba (half-width) obi. We'll also be making some accessories such as obi-ita and looking at ko-mono (lit. small things - the things such as the chords, boards and padding that make wearing kimono easier). Bring along your kimono or yukata if you have one. Some will be provided.
Some materials for obi-ita will be provided. If you have some thin but durable flexible plastic (such as thin chopping boards - available from chickenfeed for about $2.00) please bring it along.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Kimono Nagoya blog helps out, buying your kimono

I saw these great tips over at the Kimono Nagoya Tumblr and had to share here:

'A general rule of thumb for buying used kimono is:

Hold up the kimono so the hem is just brushing the floor. The top of the collar should be AT LEAST at the level of your eyebrows, at BEST at your forehead, and taller is actually better.

Shorter than that and you’re going to have problems.

The sleeves, when put on, should fall at your wrist bone.

Besides the two items pictured here, you should have some kind of underclothes (shorts and a tank top are fine for yukata) and some kind of cord to tie the yukata around your waist. You will need at least two, but three would be very helpful.

Make sure the collar is pulled down in back so you can fit a fist between the nape of your neck and the collar edge.

Make sure the collar is high enough in front to be closed at the hollow of your throat, or at your clavicle. You shouldn’t be showing any cleavage.

For best results, wear a sports bra, kimono bra or any kind of boob-crushing implement that will give you a flat figure. Boobs should not be flopping over the top of the obi.

The obi should be tight enough to hold you upright, and you should walk with a nice straight back.

And be absolutely sure your yukata is LEFT OVER RIGHT! Right over left is how they dress the dead.'


Also, to all of us locals Klektik down at Salamanca Place is still having a sale on Kimono and Haori. They're $29 each or $50 for two. They also have a few obi of varying quality, I think they're $29.95 each.
See you all at the next club meeting!
- Cass

Don't forget to look at the other hints and tips (marked 'kitsuke') in the list of past entry tags. There are links to how to dress in kimono for both men and women as well as links to online stores such as Ryu Japan and Ichiroya - take advantage of the collapse of the US economy and save!!- Emerald