2018-12-02

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.774

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Embroidery Kiku obi

Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers

Hi, how are you doing? This is Mitsue writing.
It is already December, so just a month is left this year. Incredible! People begin to hustle and bustle at this time of a year. I'm going to clean my house and do 'Danshari'. 'Danshari' means reducing unnecessary things and bring harmony in life. 'Dan' literally means cutting off, 'sha' means throwing away and 'ri' means separating from the deep attachment to things which are not need. It might be hard to do, but I have to do now. Ganbarimasu!

Anyway, have you ever heard of 'Kiku'(chrysanthemum)dolls?
Kiku dolls are one of art crafts performing life-sized figures with 'Kiku'(chrysanthemum) and leaves. Usually the clothes are made of them, and the head, arms and feet are made of plastics and other materials. It is said the origin is from late Edo period(1603-1867) in Edo (present Tokyo). The themes are from the historical stories or popular dramas of that time.

Hirakata city, north-east of Osaka prefecture had been famous for Kiku doll exhibition until 2005. It had continued for 96 years, but closed its history due to the aging and the lack of of the craftsman successor. Now displays of the Kiku doll which civic volunteers made are exhibited at parks near the city hall or along the main street to Kyoto. Kiku dolls are deeply rooted to the citizen as a civic culture, so displays will continue from now on.

My uncle had lived in Hirakata city for long time, so he often took me to the Kiku doll exhibition every years when I was a child. However, Kiku dolls were so scared to me! I didn't want to go there, so my face looked depressed in old photos. In this October, I went to Hirakata city and saw a few displays at a park. I was not scared any more, on the contrary I was very interested in the scenes of the Kiku dolls. This year's theme is 'Sego-don', a NHK drama of Saigo Takamori, which is broadcasted on TV now. He is famous for closing the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji Restoration. If I were interested in history in my childhood, I would have enjoyed more. Oh, what a regretful!

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This photo shows Kirino Toshiaki (a member of the Satsuma feudal clan) and Saigo Takamori. They were very close friends.

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This photo shows Shimazu Kiku (consort of Nariakira), Shimazu Nariakira (11th feudal lord of the Satsuma feudal clan), Atsu-hime (adopted daughter of Nariakira and married to 13th Tokugawa shogunate later) and Saigo Kichinosuke (former name of Saigo Takamori).

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I also saw Halloween display with 'Kiku'(chrysanthemum). It was so charming!
Today, I introduce some items with 'Kiku'(chrysanthemum) design.

Kimonotte original from vintage kimono design:
www.ichiroya.com

www.ichiroya.com

Thank you for reading, and have a nice day!

2018-11-16

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.772

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Yoshikazu TAKADA | Flickr

Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers
Hi, how are you enjoying the weekend? This is Azusa writing.

It's getting more comfortable here, and it makes me want to eat a lot. In Japan, it is also said that fall is the best season for arts and entertainment. Recently I went to a piano recital of Evgeny Kissin, who came to Japan for the first time in four years. I'm a big fan of him. I gave him a standing ovation after the performance.

The concert was held in Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall. Have you heard of the city of Yokohama? It is a beautiful port town and a tourist spot. A lot of interesting facilities are assembled.

I also went to the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, which is a historic building built in the the Meiji Period(1868-1912) as a bonded warehouse. But it is now a popular shopping complex and there are a lot of stylish stores.

When I went there, it held a fair of special local products and various food booths gathering all over Japan. When I was walking through them, clerks said to me, "Please try it. It is delicious.", so I was doing samples one after another. I thought the green tea from Shizuoka was the best. Shizuoka is famous for green tea. Normally I can't taste the difference between one green tea or the other. No matter what I drink, I say "It's good.", but the green tea from Shizuoka tasted difference from the one I always drink, so I recommend that!

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ajari | Flickr

Why don't you try delicious green tea in kimono when visiting Japan?

www.ichiroya.com

2018-11-10

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.771

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Nullumayulife | Flickr

Dear ICHIROYA news letter readers
Konnichiwa, Ogenkidesuka? This is Iori writing.

"Autumn for arts"
In Japan, we say Fall is the best season for arts and entertainment.This is probably because it is the time of year when art galleries and exhibits are organized. School festivals or cultural festivals are held in autumn, too.
This time, let me write about my memory of this autumn.

My daughter has started learning 'Nihon Buyo'(Japanese Traditional Dance) since this June by the cultural program of the town where we live. This program was organized to spread traditional Japanese culture to successors of the next-generations.
This is a half-year program and the students take a part in the cultural festival in November. At first, my daughter asked me what the 'Nihon Buyo' is, so I showed it to her on the Youtube. Then she said "I want to do this!! I want to dance like this in pretty kimono!!" It was the first time that she wants to learn something.
So, she started to take the Japanese traditional dance class once a week.

Usually, a teacher gives one-on-one lessons to a student, but there are some students in the class of this program. My daughter was the youngest student in the class and older girls were kind to her. She really enjoyed dancing.
The way to dance of Nihon Buyo is very slow and hard to take rhythm.
Besides, the six years old girl could concentrate on something for only 15 minuets! She always runs around the room and the Yukata (she wears Yukata at lessons) is opened in front....oh no... However, the teacher is very kind and knows how to catch children's interesting. She teaches them how to sit, bow and walk in correct manner before dance.
My daughter gradually came to like dancing.

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Finally, the day has come.
Kids got dressed in Kimono, put on makeup and done their pretty hair. They looked so excited in pretty kimono because they usually wear Yukata at lessons. My daughter wore a pre-tied Obi, which I used for my 7 years old child's celebration. It is easy to tie and looks gorgeous! Of course, she ran, ate and jumped in kimono though, it was easy to re-tie.

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The stage was large. She has never stood on such a big stage. Lots of people were sitting in front of her and looking at her. She must got nervous in such occasion. My heart was beating fast, too. However, she did very good. Their stage was over, and I was relieved very much. All kid's dances were so cute. Their teachers also danced and that was wonderful!! It was too bad that taking pictures was prohibited.
There are two more lessons in this program. She keeps dancing at home almost everyday and I am happy that she likes it.

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kyoto flowertourism | Flickr

I saw some dancers wore Susohiki-kimono at the stage.
The way to dance with the bottom hem trailing on the the floor was beautiful.
I introduce some Susohiki Kimono , gorgeous Obi and accessories.
Vintage Kimonos and obi are also good for display!

Kimono

www.ichiroya.com

Obi

www.ichiroya.com

Folding fan for dancing

www.ichiroya.com

Thank you for reading till the end.
Have a nice weekend!

2018-11-09

●ICHIROYAニュースレター　第145号●

2018-11-09

www.tokaiedu.co.jp

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Photo from Sheila Kimono Style

SHEILA KIMONO STYLE：かもめの本棚 online

こちらが彼女の去年出版された力作　SOCIAL LIFE OF KIMONO

kyouki.hatenablog.com

日本語訳が早く出ますように・・・と待つばかりです。

ニューヨークのFIT（ニューヨーク州立ファッション工科大学）のテキストに採用されるような力作の著者がなぜ今度は写真集を？

「英語では　a picture paints a thousand words（一枚の写真は千の言葉にも匹敵する）といいますが、着物の美しさは言葉ではどんなにしても語り尽くせないのです。だからこのフォトブックをつくろうとおもったのです」とシーラさんは語っています。

自分の持ち物の着物を着て、自分のホームグラウンドとも言える馴染みの場所で自然体で微笑むシーラさんを、お友達でもある写真家のトッド・フォングさんがカメラにおさめています。

わたしゃなんて言ったって振袖でスウィングしているトップの写真が大好き！輝く笑顔とはこのことかしらと思います。

着物が大好きな気持ちがこれ一枚でつたわります。

あ、そうそう、この振袖を含めて、イチロウヤで見つけていただいた帯を多数コーデしてこの本の中でお召しいただいています。え？こんなに素敵な帯だったっけ？と思わず写真と見比べて、うーんこう着てもらうとやっぱりいいなあと　ブツブツ言いながら各ページを見ていました。

ほぼ毎日着物を着ているシーラさん、季節のコーデをたのしみ、時にはしっとり、時にはロックに、時にはファンキーに。明治のものから現代ものまで・・・小物合わせもエンジョイしています。

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こういった生活感のあるシーンも：

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着物がだんだん着られなくなっていくのも仕方のないことね・・・はあ　とため息を付く人が大半のなか、シーラさんは「私はトレンド・ハンターよ」と公言しています。

「着物が｀美術品’みたいにならないように、ファッションとして生き残るには、今のライフスタイル、キモノ・エンドユーザーたちの動向、つまり｀流行（トレンド）’をつかまなきゃ」

と彼女は言っています。リサーチもして、フォトブックもだして、そして彼女が今続けているプロジェクトは、こちら・・・20代から50代までの女性50人を対象にお家を訪れてのその方の着物のタンスの中身についての聞き取り調査です。

その着物がやってきた背景、着物について困っていること、その着物にまつわるストーリーを丁寧に聞き取りしているのです

【The Kimono Closet　箪笥びらき】のサイト

The Kimono Closet

着物産業は年々衰退していて　年間の売上がいくらいくらで・・・といった統計は耳にしますが、個人の声を集める調査はおそらくないのでは？実際の話、着物に何がおきているのか　この調査からいろいろなことがわかってきそうです。

着物は好きだけど、置く場所ないしねえ、着る機会ないしねえ、好きなことは好きなんだけどねえ・・・あああ、よく聞いてしまいます。

なんにも考えずにこの本を開くと、笑顔になること間違いなし。インスピレーションの宝庫です。着物に興味のない若い女の子が、この本をみて「かーわいーい！」を連呼しておりました。

写真と写真の合間には短いですが、おお、そうだそうだ！とうなずきたくなるメッセージが含まれています。

同じ年代の私も、（洋服なら何も言われないのにさ！着物だといわれるんだよなーなんていじけている暇があったら、おシャレしなきゃ）と心にぐっときた本でした。

どうぞエンジョイ！してくださいませ。

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2018-11-04

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.770

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Photo from Sheila Kimono Style

SHEILA KIMONO STYLE：かもめの本棚 online

Hello from Yuka. Do you remember about this book I introduced in our past newsletter?

(Here is the past NL about her previous book, Social Life of Kimono)
kyouki.hatenablog.com

I was so impressed by this book (Social Life of Kimono) written by Sheila san. The book was based on her research of kimono world, she covered not only the history and present situation in kimono industry in Japan but also the movement of kimono wearers both in Japan and all over the world. This time I would liketo introduce her new book, which is totally different from the previous one.

The new book is her kimono style book with full of photos taken by her friend photographer, Todd Fong. The photos were taken in her neighborhood or near her university (she is a professor at Jumonji Gakuen Women's University), so they look supernatural, and we can tell she is really enjoying kimono in her everday life.

Why did she published this new book?

`In English there is a well-known saying, a picture paints a thousand words. But I think that you can speak thousands of words without being able to express the beauty of kimono. That is the main reason why I decided to make this photo book'(from her book)

Each photo shows her own kimono coordinations. We felt so happy and honored, she wore many obi and kimono from Ichiroya too, including the furisode she is wearing (the photo on the top).

She wears kimono almost everyday, here are some photos from the book and you can see the changing of the seasons by her coordinations.

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I like the photo of her in furisode (on top) with her beaming smile but also I like this photo too, it is a real natural scene from everyday life.

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Each style has flow and her love of kimono is showing!

She loves both old and new kimono- she treasures kimono from Meiji era(Meiji 1868-1912) and also tries punk kimono fashion with leather belt.

In her previous book, her research and the viewpoint of kimono in social life showed us the reality of kimono. As you may know, we tend to have fixed idea about our own culture. Kimono were aound and the existence of kimono is getting less and less as time goes by but oh, well, that's what happens-that kind of mood is what most people have, I think.

Sheila calls herself 'a kimono trend hunter'.

`For kimono to survive as fashion and not as some kind of art object, it is necessary to grasp trends, people's kimono lifestyles, and the needs of kimono end-users. '

To spread the information, she started her project called `The Kimono Closet'.

She is examining the kimono closets of fifty Japanese women from their 20s to there 80s. She visits their homes, count the numbers and types of kimono, note where they came from and how they are stored. Besides that, she asks participants to tell her their problems with kimono life and the stories of kimono that have special meanings for them. Not the annual kimono sale numbers but she is collecting the real voice from the individual's closet! That must tell what is really happening. We have this contradiction - kimono are pretty, precious and have memories of mothers, grandmothers but kimono are not really convenient, nor easy to wear (needs a lot of care!).

Her book is inspiring and fun to show kimono as fashion. A young girl who was not interested in kimono at all, saw the book and says `KAWAII!!' For her, the book was a fun fashion book.

I am sure you enjoy the book, and in between photos, she writes her message very clearly both in English and Japanese. Enjoy!

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2018-10-27

Finally, the furisode is finished!

We have a most exceptional vintage furisode--this furisode has many enchanting birds and gorgeous flowers which are dyed. It is just awesome, words can never describe the real beauty of this furisode. The elaborate work of details-it is breathtaking.

We hope you enjoy the photos of our treasure.

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It has no flaw, in excellent condition. One of our customer ordered this furisode and we were so happy the furisode was just finished.

Yes, we made this furisode from a real vintage furisode-we reproduced the image and it is possible now to make same image furisode with other back ground color too.

The original vintage furisode had red back ground color. We have made the original color one too but to see the same design with black back ground color, it was first time and it was just breathtaking.

The original vintage furisode is of course the exceptional piece and we treasure it from now on too.

And now, if you wish to wear this furisode or display in your room, it is possible. We will be happy to make another furisode for you.

Just contact us, info@ichiroya.com

2018-10-26

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.769

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ChingHua Chung | Flickr

Dear Newsletter readers,

Hello, this is Mari.
It is fall in Japan. Cool and tasty season!
I love to eat! Since I'm from northern Japan where is famous
for rice, I'm excited to eat newly croped rice so much!
Yum, yum!

In November, we cerebrate "Shichigosan".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichi-Go-San

Generally speaking, girls at 3 and 7 years old, boys at 5 years old wear
formal kimono, and go to shrine in their community to pray for
their healthy grow.

Girls enjoy wearing kimono and putting make up on them.
I still remember that I felt very special in my bright green kimono which I wore
when I cerebrated Shichigosan at 7 years old.

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In the picture, me and my younger sister are posing like "Maiko" in
kimono. Girls can do this when they are dressed up.
Boys seem don't like to dress up. When my sons went to a shrine in kimono when they
were 5 years old, they were not very much excited at the begining. However, after a shiny sword
was handed to them, they started posing like a samurai! That's so boys!
They enjoyed to be a little samurai so much!

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画像：rio_shichigosan

I love to see those little princess and samurai in kimono in November.
I pray for their healthy grow from the bottom of my heart.

Do you want your kids to wear kimono?
Since kids eat, jump, fall down and cry, it is risky to put silk kimono on them.
No worry! We carry polyester kids kimono! It is a lot easier to take care of it!

<Boy's kimono>

www.ichiroya.com

<Boy's vest>

www.ichiroya.com