Kimono Collection

Even though my kimono collection (here and here give pretty good snapshots if you are interested) is pretty extensive, compared both to a regular Japanese person, not to mention the average Australian, I managed to come home with a considerable of new pieces after our six months in Japan earlier this year. 

Wearing new yukata and obi for work

For those who don't know, most Japanese people would have maybe one yukata (summer cotton kimono) at home, and maybe a formal one if they had to go to a wedding (like mother of the bride type thing). But a cupboard full of them is pretty unheard of and to be honest, I think lots of people hire them for events if they need them, rather than buying them. Especially since they would likely need help dressing too. My friend Haruka doesn't even have a yukata, she thought it was hilarious that I was buying them and wearing them. 

I tried to be restrained about purchases, but since they don't just sit unworn in my cupboard, I do have some justification. I did come home with more than I expected to, but in my defence, I was gifted a number of these which I was not expecting at all. 

My "haul" stacked up and sorted, disguising just how many items there really are. 

I did take photos of each thing, but honestly, there are so many and I felt like this would get boring and long if I put all of them in. Most of the yukata that I bought while in Japan, I actually wore while we were there (or the girls did), so you've probably already seen some of this stuff anyway (here and here). And there is more than just the yukata/kimono part, there is the obi and the ties and the under stuff and what not. In the interest of not boring you - here are some highlights. 

This is possibly my favourite new yukata. I bought it with my friend Haruka at an outlet sale. It's a designer label and has an Aladdin inspired print on it. So cool. Also, the fabric weave is a specific summer one which has very subtle sections that are more see through (let me know if I'm not explaining it right, or you want more info), so that the breeze can pass through and you can stay actually cool in the hot humid summer. It really works and is so comfortable to wear. 

I did buy a large number of obi (waist belts), because they are so easy to mix and match with different kimono and wear in a variety of ways. Also, I got most of these second hand for incredibly cheap so a really great way to bring more colour and fun to the kimono wardrobe. Most of them are double sided too, so twice as much really!

Hanhaba Obi - half width

The first two obi below are the fanciest that I got and the most expensive. Still second hand and cheap compared to what they would be new. Rachel picked out the green wave one for me and I got the butterfly one from a second hand store in Matsuyama. The other two were gifted ones. 

Full width Obi (formal wear)

Along with the two obi there, I was gifted three kimono, one wool with a matching haori (jacket) and the other two beautiful silk with peach blossom patterns. One even came with matching shoes (which you can see above). I could not believe how lucky I was to be given these, especially since I was only meeting the ladies who gave them to me that day! 

The last thing they gave me was this absolutely stunning fuirsode (kimono with long sleeves). I actually don't own any furisode, so I was doubly excited to receive this one. It's on display in our hallway. Photos don't do it justice. The butterflies are all hand embroidered with metallic threads and metal work. 

Aside from the yukata that I bought and wore a lot, I only bought two kimono myself. One was a gorgeous green colour that was only $10 at a shop in Takamatsu. I couldn't walk past it. My final purchase was less spontaneous. I was wanting to get a black formal kimono (usually worn at weddings). Not particularly to wear, but to remake into a fancy dress. Steve and the girls gave me lots of grace as I trawled through the formal section of the second hand stores and feedback when I pulled out options. 

I eventually settled on this one with its lovely honeycomb and flowers pattern. I'm excited to sew it into a dress, and I can see the design I want to get in my mind, but I know I'll be doing a fair amount of draft and pattern work first to get it right before I cut into the actual thing. It's not like I can go out and buy more fabric if I stuff it up!

Inconceivably, I managed to pack all of the new things into the storage that I already had in our room, with only one new shelf needed. Thankfully, that shelf was only being used by Sophie's Squirrel Girl tail, which was pretty easy to relocate. The best storage solution that I have for my kimono stuff is a self made "shoe storage hanger" thing that I put together years ago now out of the leftover fabric I had from making curtains. I could have sworn I blogged about it, but I can't for the life of me find it in searches, and I've written so many blog posts now (over 950!!), trawling back through them to find it seems like a lot of work. And maybe I didn't blog about it at all? 

In any case, everything has its new home and I'm pretty happy it's here. We are eight weeks into school term now, and I've worn a yukata every day.