Comments on: The kimono boom

By: False Positives

False Positives — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 04:03:18 +0000

Japanese Kimono designer Mamechiyo vists Toronto via Magic Pony…

Celebrated throughout Japan for her textile design and kimono styling, Mamechiyo has only recently gained recognition in North America. ‘Mamechiyo : the Art of Kimono’ will be Mamechiyo’s first solo exhibit in North America and her…

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:40:30 +0000

It seems to have fallen out of fashion in the 80s, from what I gather from my books - I have a 1970s book where the taiko still has a tilt in it, and obijime as well. That said, one newer Japanese kitsuke book I have has tilted obijime in it, so I think it’s coming back.

Oh, I would jump at the chance to take a kitsuke course too! The only things I “disagree” with are the ideas that you have to get a certificate and dress just like a school says. Unfortunately there are no kitsuke schools in my area, and the only Japanese woman who wears kimono down here comes from Paris and doesn’t give lessons :( So I’m stuck learning from books!

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 05:46:33 +0000

Hahaha….Yes, I know exactly what you mean….I found particularly galling the scene when Isuzu Yamada does her otaiko nearly one-handed, complete with a (somewhat showy) asymmetrical tilt. In fact, all their obis were as in your 1930s book, maybe a bit more exaggerated, with the corresponding tilt in the (already low) obijime too. So when did it fall out of fashion…?
Back to Naruse for a moment, the kimono in When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960) worn by Ginza bar hostesses is by contrast a lot more conventional. But that probably has more to do with the characters’ desire to hang onto some shred of respectability…

Funnily enough, I was just seriously considering a kitsuke class offered by a women who works at a local kimono shop in New York. As much as I agree with you on the certificate craze, I think there is some good to be gotten out of humbling oneself (erm, myself!) to take direction or criticism from someone on the “inside,” even if our aesthetic sensibilities diverge (Kimono Ojosan vs Kimono Hime?). Builds character and all that. Well, at any rate (or, more to the point, at her rates!) it would keep my kimono budget in check! :p

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:14:43 +0000

I’ve seen “Geisha House” (Flowing)! It’s great, the kimono are lovely — as well as the Western fashions, I have to say, a bit guiltily… :) If I recall correctly, there are a couple scenes where they put on/take off their kimono that are jaw-dropping for those of us who take forever to do it. With habit, they could put on a kimono (obi, accessories and all) in a few minutes!

Space Babe, I have never heard that myth. Plus, as far as I know, the Japanese buried their dead, they didn’t incinerate them. And there isn’t really anywhere to keep ashes in an obi bow anyhow :)

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 07:55:21 +0000

I’ve always enjoyed your blog as well, personal and kimono!

New York is in the midst of a Mikio Naruse film festival (first in 20 years) whose work is another place to get a glimpse of ordinary, post-war kimono.

Of course one would be guilty of the worst kind of train-spotting just to go for the kimonos! PS Festival link below….
http://www.filmforum.org/films/naruse.html#1028

By: space babe

space babe — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:47:38 +0000

Hi, just happened to come by your blog. I am new in the blog world, så almost everything is a wonder to me. I came across a pornographic blog and was quite upset, but felt naive afterwards for not anticipating such blogs to exist. Then I saw a lengthy blog in Portuguese or some other language like it, and I wondered how on earth people can find time to write so much!

And now I am at your blog, I just wanted to share a myth about kimonos from my childhood in China: the grown-ups told us that the Japanese women kept the ashes of their ancestors in the knot at the back. I always thought that macabre. Is there any truth at all in it?

By: sala

sala — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 23:01:50 +0000

It is the first time to leave a message. But I really enjoy your Blog every time.
I have exactly the same opinion as you wonderting what kimono cetificate for
wearring kimono should be the same thing as ony other cloths

I dont have many chances to wear Kimono sinse I moved to Australia .
But your blog encourage me I just wanna say thank you

By: Yul Miyabi

Yul Miyabi — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 21:25:42 +0000

Hello: I just had to say that was a great article! I especially liked the photos from your kimono book. To see the “imperfect” taiko obis and the wrinkled collars that didn’t quite line up was charming and a breath of fresh air, really. To see a kimono worn as a “lived” garment rather than a costume or simply formal wear on special occasions is especially nice. Who says you need a reason to wear a kimono?
Anyway, I just wanted to say “hi”, and thanks for maintaining such a lovely website!
From a fellow kimono-o-phile on the Oregon coast, Yul M.