Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.680
Men's Kimono #242291 Kimono Flea Market Ichiroya
Dear readers,
Konnichiwa, this is Mari.
"Uramasari"(Austhetics of the back excel) is today's keyword.
It means more expensive or flashy lining and juban(undergarment) than the outside. As many of you already know, men's haori lining and juban often have very detailed, gorgeous or unique pattern.
The patterns often contain cultural, aesthetic or sometimes political message.
Haori lining is called "Haura". Lining is, of course, not for showing. He wants to show it off just a little bit when he takes his Haori on and off. Obvious show off is coarseness. However, just offer a sneak peek of "Haura" is cool! Wealthy gentlemen in Kyoto have been competing with others with beautiful and unique "Haura".
The reason why "Haura" and juban became so gorgeous and unique than the outside is because of the luxury ban which was announced in Edo period(1603-1867). People still wanted to enjoy fashion under the regulation. So, they started to wear cool lining or juban(undergarment). Checking Men's haori lining and juban is a fun thing to do at Ichiroya. I really enjoy finding out cool and interesting pattern which have been
well hidden under dark color men's kimono.
We have cool men's haori and juban collection. Enjoy finding your "Uramasari"!
*Haori
Sports! Sports! Sports!
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/322110/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/352612/
European map and war theme
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/277595/
Opening to the new world
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/242291/
Samurai
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351325/
Don't open this page at office!
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/180710/
*Juban
Play ball!
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/322884/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/289309/
Let's sail!
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/312241/
Again, sports pattern
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/326276/
Can you imagine what kind of man wore this gorgeous
juban?
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/304411/
I think those guys who order made and wore those haori and juban were the
true fashionistas!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.679
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351698/
Hello from Yuka. Ogenki desuka, How are you?
I hope it is not too cold at where you live. It is Daikan (the coldest time of the year)season here and so chilly! We went to Ichiro's parents place today and snow from last week remain on the ground. They live in north part of Osaka, so it is different from Tondabayashi, which is southern part of Osaka and we have no snow at all.
You might recognize this photo- I showed the photo some months ago to introduce Okuizome ceremony of Jin(our grandson). I am a Baba-baka(doting grandmother) but this time I am not showing off the cute Jin(he is growing and cuter now!). I would like you to take a look at Jin's great -grandmother's vest.
The vest is made of her kimono. It is Oshima tsumugi, fine type of woven pattern silk.
Oshima tsumugi was (and still is) people's favorite type of woven pattern kimono. Oshima tsumugi have its particular charm of colors and crisp touch and they are very strong. Oshima tsumugi silk are said to last decades or one hundred years and they are possible to re-tailor repeatedly and can be used both sides. Not only Teru san(Jin's great-grandmother) but many people make vest, skirt and other outfit from kimono they have.
Many books and text about kimono-remake are sold and major seniror women's magazines often have special issue of kimono-remake.
When I search with a keyword `kimono-remake' in Japanese, there appear so many photos:
They are mostly in Japanese only but I hope you can enjoy the photos.
Most women in Japan have some kimono in tansu(chest), and among women a little older than I am, kimono remake is quite popular. Just like Terusan, they use their own kimono to make something easily worn. You may think cutting kimono might sounds cruel thing but making something which can be worn again is good, rather than having them stored without being worn.
We find many customers from abroad making SO CHARMING outfit using kimono fabric, kimono or obi and seeing those beautiful work make us so happy. It is one of the blissful moment which make us feel so good to keep this business.
There are many people like Teru san, making favorite kimono to something they can wear now and enjoy.
Recently, those kimono-remake is progessing and I think people are becoming more and more free and colorful to create their own fashion. It seems kimono-remake is not only for older women but it is accepted more widely now.
Recently, there are new type of dress using kimono.
It may not be called kimono-remake, it is more like different type of dressing, using kimono to dress like a western dress without `cutting'. We like to talk about this topic in our future newsletter.
This time I like to show this video which is from 7 years ago.
I think kimono-remake has become more natural and popular thing now.
The first part is about the event of four artists and their work using kimono fabrics. The last half is a nice example of kimono-remake. A fashion designer Yurie Yamada who was not interested in kimono originally got a big shock meeting Shigeko Ikeda(she is the most famous antique kimono collector in Japan)and started kimono-remake. There are two young women who asked her to make their wedding dresses using their mothers’ kimono. Those kimono were worn by the mothers on their Coming-of-Age ceremony.
One of the kimono was in a chest for 40 years, the mother says.
The both kimono were made into their daughters’ dresses for wedding reception.
The photo of the top of this newsletter is a vest from our website.
We do not have many kimono-remake things and we hope we can add charming fabric, kimono and obi to inspire you to create your own outfit!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.678
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu from Yoko at Ichiroya!
Kotoshimo dozo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
May the new year bring peace, happiness and laughter to you and yours.
Today, I would like to tell you about my Oshogatsu routine.
I spend every Oomisoka(New Near's Eve) and Gantan(New Year's Day) at my parents' place in Nara.
We have Toshikoshi Soba and watch Kohaku Utagassen on Oomisoka, and enjoy Osechi (traditional Japanese New Year's food) on Gantan which my mom prepares.
Here is a photo of Osechi my mom prepared this year. She makes the best Osechi that we could all enjoy.
My dad writes our names on bags of chopsticks and we sit where assinged by the each bag.
We greet the new year by Osechi, a cup of Sake, and Otoshidama(money bag). Of course, I am too old to receive Otoshidama....
After breakfast, we go Hatsumoude, visit to a shrine to make wishes for the year.
Every year we visit Kashihara Jingu shrine, which is only about 30minutes from my parents' place.
Kashigara jingu is always packed with Hatumoude crowds. Since this Gantan was warm and sunny, there seemed more people visiting.
Here are some photos of our Hatsumoude at Kashihara Jingu this year. Can you see the heads of people!!??
We pass by tempting food and fun game stalls on our way to the main shrine. If we stop at one stall, we know we never get to the main gate, so we are determined to have fun on our way back.
We wash hands and clear throat by water before entering the gate of the main Jingu.
It is the year of the Rooster, and you see a huge Ema plate at the main entrance? People are lined to take a picture!
okiyome.jpg ( 191 KB )
We bow, give a small offering and clap hands before wishing for the year. Of course, you keep the wishes to yourself...shhhhh
Ok now, it is Omikuji time. Omikuji is a New Year fortune telling paper. It grades from unlucky to lucky in 12 levels.
This is the biggest event for Hatsumoude, well at least to my kids!
As always, my luck starts low in the beginning, but which should mean it will end good. (right?)
After Omikuji, here comes the fun part, temptations we ignored on Sando, path to the Shrine, my kids were running to the stalls they had their eyes on.
We had Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and etc. Even after my mom's yummy Osechi, I could eat alot more!!!
Sadly, I did not find many people dressed in Kimono at Hatsumoude....
People may think that dressing in Kimono on Gantan is too dressy. No! that is not true!
To Hatsumoude, you do not need to dress up, you can just wear a casual Kimono, such as Komon, Tsumugi, or even cotton or wool Kimono for a change. It is better that motifs include winter related or winter flower motifs, but no strict rules.
If you are attending a rather formal celebration, you can upgrade to Iromuji or Houmongi as well.
What about these charming Kimono which is perfect for a daily wear but also to Hatsumoude?
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/307202/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/343061/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/340651/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/322805/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351200/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/309572/
http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/308928/
Dewa mata!
arigato gozaimasu for reading til the end.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.677
Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers,
Happy New Year! Finally 2017 has come! Thank you for always reading our newsletters and sending us some warm messages. We would like to introduce more and more interesting topics continuously!
Hi! This is Nagisa from Ichiroya. It is my turn to write a newsletter. This is the first one in 2017. How was your New Year's holidays? My pleasure of Oshogatsu is Rice Bowl. Rice Bowl is not a bowl to serve rice in. It is an American football game between champions of college league and non-professional league in Japan. This year, I watched the game at a sport bar with my friend over beer. I've been eagerly awaiting that KG Fighters (my old school football team!) win the championship for ten years. I hope I could witness the moment of victory with my own eyes in near future.
By the way, how have you been in this cold winter or hot summer? Last month, I went to Arashiyama, Kyoto. Do you like Kyoto? In Japan, there is the famous catch phrase 'Souda, Kyoto Ikou'. This phrase means that 'Oh yeah, let's go to Kyoto'. The words suddenly came to mind, and I did it.
There are two forests where I wanted to go. One is a new spot and the other is a historic spot. First of all, I crossed the symbolic bridge 'Togetsukyo'. There was a beautiful rainbow over the bridge! Can you see it? That's a good start of the trip.
Then, my first destination is here. This is the Kimono Forest produced by Pagong, one of the famous brand of aloha shirt with traditional Japanese pattern.
Various Kyo Yuzen patterns were displayed like a tree-lined street. Kyo Yuzen is different from Kaga Yuzen which is mentioned in my last newsletter. Stylized motifs are dyed in soft colors, and the Kyo Yuzen Kimonos have tasteful and charming atmosphere. The 600 of displays were illuminated at night. It was surprising that the Kimono Forest is located at a station. Also, there is no ticket gate to enter the station. It can be seen night and day throughout the year.
The second one is a natural forest which has a long history more than 1,000 years. Here it is! First photo is from Flicker and the rest of the two photos are the ones I took. I hope you like them!
This is the road of bamboo forest located in the north of Tenryuji Temple. I was so impressed by the fascinating view! The illumination event titled 'Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro' was held when I visited there. The bamboo forest, Togetsukyo, and some other spots around Arashiyama area were lighted up fantastically. The lush and admirable bamboos, fresh cold are, and a cup of hot wine gave me energy! How about putting on bamboo design Kimonos or Obis?
1) Vintage Kimono: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/352509/
2) Vintage Kimono: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/350868/
3) Houmongi Kimono: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/332737/
4) Houmongi Kimono: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/258925/
5) Houmongi Kimono: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/198673/
6) Fukuro Obi: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351609/
7) Fukuro Obi: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/331976/
8) Tsumugi Fukuro Obi: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351931/
9) Shioze Nagoya Obi: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/347336/
Arashiyama is a wonderful place where I want you to visit, and there is always full of tourists from all over Japan and all over the world. However, I do not recommend you to go to there alone. Because I felt a little bit melancholy when I waited until it gets dark by playing Pokemon Go and drinking a glass of beer at a cafe all alone. haha Just kidding! I was fine!
Thank you for reading till the end. I hope you will have great year!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.676
Dear ICHIROYA newsletter readers,
"I have a pen. I have an apple. Oh, apple pen." Do you know that? It is PPAP(Pen Pineapple Apple Pen) song by Piko Taro. His dancing and lyrics are really simple, but so hilarious. Kids love it and song and laugh.
Anyway, this is Mei again! How was your Christmas holidays? Now I'm doing countdown for New Year, 2017! Today I wanna talk to you about my Santa Claus story.
It was maybe, when I was 6 or 7. I detected WHO SANTA CLAUS IS. The day was a few weeks later after Xmas. I was looking at some pictures my mom took. They showed Santa Claus was setting some presents for me at my bed side. One picture shows his profile. He has white big bear with something like strings near his ear, and eyeglasses similar to my dad. And at his finger that putting my presents, I wondered that his ring looks like my dad's. I thought and thought for long times. And I asked myself, "Is he my dad? or... Santa Claus?" And I decided to ask my parents. I asked to my mom first. She said, " What a coincidence! Their ring and eyeglasses look similar. And that are not strings but Santa's bear!". Then, I asked to my dad by showing the picture. "Is that you? Because he looks like you!". And I explained about a ring, eyeglasses and the white strings. After that, he laughed hard and said to me, "Santa Claus is too busy to bring your presents here, so I did it instead of him". And my mom said "but I sent your letter that you wrote to Santa Claus". Other children would answer "Oh I see! I will write him a letter next Christmas, too! Thanks dad and mom!" But I was not. "Dad, you should have prepared more carefully!" I said to him and my parents laughed hard again. THE END. Thanks for reading.
By the way, did you know Lady Gaga came to Japan last month? I respect her unique and crazy fashion! (But I can't walk through public in raw meat) And have you ever seen her funny eye make up, she draw eyes on her eyelid? This is it. (not Michael Jackson)
Here is the image search result of "lady gaga eye paint eyelids"!
https://www.google.com/search?q=lady+gaga+eye+paint+eyelids&biw=976&bih=772&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwimv5-Vh4fRAhUKUbwKHUjFCLgQ_AUIBigB
When I was a high school student, I did it with my friends after school. You know? BEFORE GAGA! We did it before she did. Someday, I wanna do it with her! Why don't you try Gaga eyes with your family or friends? haha
She visited Japan last month for promoting her new album. The record label made a pink kimono which was inspired her new album for her. When she received it at the press conference, she was so surprised and couldn't help herself stop crying.
The press conference of Lady GaGa's new album
(She receives the kimono at 7:48.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2NWSEaeps8
She appeared in the very popular Japanese TV show in the kimono.
She looked absolutely beautiful in the pink kimono!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN7TDjipFVk
The kimono was designed by Jotaro Saito, one of the most popular kimono designers.
So, this time I wanna show you some items which were designed by him. We have just one by Jotaro Saito. Sorry, others are already sold out. But we have other nice ones by Sansai Saito, his father who is also a famous Kimono designer .
The top photo is a kimono designed by Jotaro Saito-it is available at Ichiroya!
* Jotaro Saito *
Kimono : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/338500/
* Sansai Saito *
Kimono : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/351461/
Kimono : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/343698/
Kimono & Obi set : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/295803/
Kimono & Obi set : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/276348/
Kimono & Obi set : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/311646/
Kimono : http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/322286/
Obi: http://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/322176/
We are happy if you like them. I hope more and more people get interest in Japanese kimono culture!
Best wishes throughout the coming year! Next newsletter will be issued in 2017! (wow finally 2017?!)
We send wishes for the happiest of holidays to you and a fabulous 2017.
See you next time, bye bye!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.675
Dear ICHIROYA newsletter readers,
How are you doing? This is Mitsue writing again.
Christmas is just around the corner, and we have many things to do at this time. During the busy days, I enjoyed making Christmas wreath of preserved flowers. Preserved flowers are natural plants that have been processed with revolutionary technology to maintain their fresh appearance for several months or even years. Their beauty and delicate appearance make it difficult to distinguish between fresh flowers and preserved ones. The woman standing beside the wreath is my teacher of preserved flower arrangement. She is very fashionable and often enjoys traveling with her husband.
Her daughter has married on June, and she showed many pictures of the wedding. The ceremony was held at Kasuga Taisha in Nara city. It is a shinto shrine established in 768 AD and rebuilt several times over the centuries. It is named from the architectural style of Kasuga-zukuri characterized for its sloping roof extending over the front of the building. The path to Kasuga Taisha passes through the Nara Park where deer inhabit. Deer are believed to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods. Over three thousand stone lanterns donated by worshipers line up along the path. The lanterns are only lit twice a year during two Lantern Festivals, one in early February and one in mid August. Kasuga Taisha and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest near it, are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".
Look at the top picture. It shows the bride and bridegroom are walking through the path to approach the honden (main sanctuary). Their parents and relatives are following them. The bride is wearing beautiful Shiromuku (pure white kimono) and wata-boshi (white bag-formed headdress), and the bridegroom is wearing hakama (man's formal divided skirt). Wedding ceremony was held at honden with shinto style, and they walked down the corridor.
After the ceremony, the bride changed to gorgeous red Uchikake with flower pattern and gold glazing. Did you notice the bouquet and hair ornament of the bride? They were made by her mother with preserved flowers. (Yes, my teacher!) I heard the bride wore two more Western dresses with another bouquets at a wedding party. Oh, how wonderful!!
Just like in ancient times, services such as wedding, 7-5-3 and Omiyamairi (pray for new born baby) are offered at Kasuga Taisha, and many religious festivals are held here annually. Still today, prayers are offered for national and global peace, and for the happiness and well-being of all people.
Well, I've never worn Shiromuku nor Uchikake in my life. I would like to wear them and take pictures if I were 20 years younger...How do you think? If you want to wear them at your wedding or take some pictures for your memories, ICHIROYA is always ready for lots of items. It will be also nice enjoying fabulous ones for interior display in your room?
Shiromuku
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/350761/ (polyester)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/349747/ (polyester)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/346823/ (silk)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/346822/ (polyester & jinken blend)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/347082/ (silk & polyester blend)
Uchikake
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/350568/ (flying crane & Ume)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/349025/ (seasonal flowers & flying crane)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/348943/ (flying crane, royal cart, flower)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/348105/ (Sakura, Kaede, fan)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/340843/ (Juni-hitoe style)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/336444/ (Matsu & peacock)
http://japan.ichiroya.com/item/list2/340866/ (Matsu, Fuji, flying crane)
Thank you for reading. Hope you have nice Christmas holidays!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.674
Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers,
Last month, my family celebrated our second son's "Shichigosan", The Seven-Five-Three Festival, at the shrine in our neighboor. It is a traditional rite of passage and festival event in Japan for three- and seven-year-old girls and three- and five-year-old boys, held annually in November to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children. We dressed him in Kimono. He looked like a little Samurai!
He befaved very well. As usual, we took a "Happy jumping" picture.
I do JUMP even when I'm in Kimono!
Now, have you ever been to Kyoto? Yes, you have ;-) As you already know, Kyoto is one of the most popular tourists' destinations in the world. I live in Osaka, which is located right next to Kyoto. Still, visiting Kyoto makes me exited. This time, I went to Kyoto to attend a luncheon with Maiko.
There is a Japanese restaurant called "Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen" at the center of Kyoto. It is a renovated classic Japanese-style house which was built in 1611. They serve pretty good Japanese traditional cuisine.
Also, they can arrange a party with Maiko.
Me and my family had a great time with "Tomitsuyu", a Maiko from East Gion.
She danced first. Then, she greeted each table, and gave us a sticker which has her name on it. In Japan, Maiko stickers are believed in lucky charm. I keep it in my wallet for money to "Maikomu"(coming in).
She was such a great entertainer who made every one of us smile. Actually, she used to live in New Zealand. So, she speaks English. If you are interested in having a party with Maiko, ask to book "Tomitsuyu" when you make a reservation.
I highly recommend her!
You can check their Maiko Plan on their web site.
http://www.gankofood.co.jp/en/maikoplan/
After we were stuffed with Japanese full course dishes, we played traditional "Ozashiki Asobi" (games we play with Maiko and Geiko).
It was a popular game called "Konpira-funefune".
The following YouTube movie shows how to play the game well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0y8asP-lM
Some of the attendees played with Tomitsuyu. Non of them won... Of course, Tomitsuyu was the winner! Well, she plays the game every night and day. There is no surprise that no one could beat her. However, it was a surprise that my 10 years old son was the best player among those gentlemen. He played for a couple of minutes until Tomitsuyu speeded up to win. Everyone at the party approesed him when he lost. That was the moment of the party!
While we were chatting with Tomitsuyu at our table, she explained us that her han-eri(decorative collar for juban) is white which is fully embroidered, because she is an elder Maiko. Maiko are 15 to 19 years old girls. When they are new commers, their han-eri is red with less embroidery works. As they get older, their han-eri become whiter with full of embroidery works. That also means they are getting
ready to be Geiko.
There are some Maiko han-eri at Ichiroya.
Once you take a close look at them, you will be amazed how much embroidery works are applied on them.
You can see more red on the followin han-eri which are for young Maiko.
We have more:
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/329063/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/347697/
These are the one like Tomitsuyu was wearing.
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/217094/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/310744/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/310745/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328209/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328210/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328213/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328214/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328215/
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/328208/
Also, Maiko wears special kimono called "Susohiki".
Susohiki literally means 'trail the skirt' and this particular kimono is much longer than other kimono. "Geiko", older geisha, also wear Susohiki. However, their Susohiki has shorter sleeves. Maiko's susohiki has longer sleeves. It also has "Kataage"(shoulder tucks) and "Sodeage"(sleeve tucks) to be look younger. Child kimono has
those tucks to be adjusted as they glow. Maiko's "Susohiki" still have them to be look young.
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/333596/
If you ever visit Kyoto, why don't you try to have a party with Maiko? or dress like Maiko?
