Nihon Buyo

We went to see the performance of Nihon Buyo at DeLaMar in Amsterdam.
Leader of the group was Mr. Senzo Nishikawa, a National Living Treasure, thee group was specialy created from the Japanse Nihon Buyo Foundation.

They performed three dances and the second one Awa Mochi (sadly translated in the guide as "Gierst (millet?) cake" instead of Rice cake, correct me if I am wrong!)
I loved most. As it was the easiest to grasp.
The kimono where different from the video's, the video is a kabuki version, so that might be the explanation. The ladies kimono is here. The men's, though I remember it to be white?
The pictures are from this wonderful website.

First dance Sen Ou

The last one, danced by Mr. Senzo Nishikawa, was impressive but I am afraid, too subtle for me to fully understand ^_^

For the performance we dressed up in kimono. Me in my Mamechiyo Modern with Rose fukuro obi from Ichiroya and Anne in her lovely iromuji with wonderful subtle fukuro obi, both from Ichiroya.
There where quite a lot of Japanese ladies in kimono, which was kind of a first for me. I guess Japanese ladies start to be proud of their national dress again and go out in kimono. I love it!

vintage me

When I was doing the 1920's pictures I also wanted to try a kimono version.
So I looked for a twenties kimono and obi, went for the red han-eri with purple striped omeshi and satin black obi
Changed the saturation

Together in Kimono

A bit yellow, but we match!

Bright Bright

This bright meisen I bought last year at Toji I thought it was so cute and Dutch looking that even though I already bought three blue(-ish) kimono I still needed this one.

As there was a presentation at my job, Mr. boss asked me to please wear kimono, well for a change...

To make it even brighter I chose this bright red obi to complement the red flowers and a black obi-jime with extra blue cord to complement the blues in the kimono.

My sweet colleague was wearing a super cute Taisho peace, pictures next week, I will bring my camera next time.

60's Space

As I am in a 60's mood...
I thought this Mamechiyo Modern kimono would be perfect
Later I will try more styles with more styling
this was just a quick try dress.



Anyway, Mamechiyo Modern's Space kimono in green
it's wool, so perfect for the season
and I love wool kimono, easy to wear, to take care of soft... etc.

To completely go with the 60's style, I am growing my hair a bit to achieve a Twiggy Bob

It will take about 4 to 6 months, maybe less the hairdresser said.

But actually I am already quite happy ^_^

(and of course the heavy 60's make-up)

In the Clouds

Flower Princess

In the Clouds

Kabuki Princess

Happy New Year

As you can see I love a bit of kitsch ^_^
A colourful happy New Year for all of you

Pied-de-Poule

We had a wonderful kimono party at my house.
All ladies came in there gorgeous kimono with lovely food and candy.

My plan was to do some kitsuke tips and talk about how to dress comfortably, but it turned out as a real party and we ate and chatted (about kimono)

Obviously I had been way to busy in the weeks before, so this being my first none busy day I kind of felt like just have a relaxing day with the kimono girls ^_^

I wore my beloved wool Pied-de-Poule designed by Mamechiyo Modern
Nice and warm.
Contrasted with burgundy red , obi (Ichiroya), tabi and accessories ^_^

Sensai

Sensai, a brand of Kanebo Japan, used the shop as a back-drop for the launch of a new product.

For this special occasion kimono is great! But also, the tea master of Urasenke Netherlands, asked me to wear kimono, so I did.

As I saw the package the day before, I decided to wear my Game kimono by Mamechiyo

The package was white with black letters, so very stylish and modern, I thought this kimono is stylish and modern too, in the right colours, so I paired her with a silver winter themed obi and white and black accessories, to keep with in the black and white package theme.

A different kind of Polkadots

For Kimono de Jack in Clingendael I wore this wool (kind of polkadottie) Mamechiyo Modern kimono
Sadly I was in a hurry this morning (didn't want to be late) and tied my obi way too tight!

Even more embarrassing, I discovered Mamechiyo designed it as a spring kimono, oops, I made it autumn.
I flipped trough her book and the kimono is in there, how fun!.
Actually, the one in the book is a printed silk vintage kimono.

But I guess it doesn't show too much. Even-though I like it better in a lose style, at least everything stayed in place ^_^

Thanks to Linda I have a shot of the musubi, thank you!


Anyway, I combined her with a dusty pink hakata hanhaba tied in a crisscross-style, grey han-eri and obi-jime, white with pink obi-age soft red nagajuban, baby-corduroy light brown tabi and brown zori, yes there is brown in he kimono!
It was wonderful to meet with 13! people at this Kimono de Jack and to be outside with this gorgeous weather in kimono, great day with kimono lovers, what a treat!
Also thank to Linda I have a full back picture with Anne!

I forgot to mention that it was a beautiful day and so great to meet this many (14 people arrived in kimono) kimono lovers!

Kimono Spotting at Tenjin-san

After finishing my shopping at Tenjin-san
Kimono spotting!

A beautiful autumn themed kimono and obi ensemble between piles and piles of kimono/obi























An elegant lady at the flea-market, what a suprise!












Pretty styles











And suddenly, the modern girls came sopping too, I love her diagonally striped kimono

Shibu Onsen

Getting a key for 9 onsen and stroll the streets of Shibu Onsen in Ryokan yukata and geta togheter with a lot of domestic tourists ^_^ was the best experiance!
until late at night you can hear the clicker-di-clack of the geta
and from 6 in the morning you hear it again.
I know, it's early, but it was incredibly charming! really!









And lucky, lucky, there was a festival!
Fun to see and experience.
Sadly, even in these tiny, old towns, cars are allowed, which does kind of amazes me (not in a positive way) as the main road is just a one minute walk.
On the other-hand, it's not a museum.

The other big tourist stop: Monkeys!
Yes they do go in the water, but I guess, now in summer time, it's just because there's food.
Probably in wintertime they like the warm water