After a wonderful time exploring the gift shops, clothing stores and the food market (I test-tasted everything)...we (there were about thirteen of us on this foray) were taken to a restaurant for our first Japanese drinking party.....that's what they're called....where we feasted on......(the word 'banquet' comes to mind) plate after plate of everything from chicken on a stick to pot stickers, sashimi and noodles, rice and vegetables, Japanese pickles and salads all accompanied by beautifully served sake (hot and cold). (I revel in the artful serving dishes, table and room decor as much as the flavors and smells. It's all eye candy and a sensory explosion for me.) What a fun, fun memory with truly enjoyable company interspersed with karaoke (pronounced kah rah o keh): a first, for me. My attempt at a Norah Jones song will probably go down in history.......
I've done a little playing around in my workroom and can only say that I'm not a tidy worker, it all starts out well and then....sheesh
It definitely looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing so many pictures.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful time! I love Japanese culture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful material, and sounds like an amazing trip
ReplyDeleteI too love Japanese textiles. All of them especially the blue and white ikat. Hey...send me you address. I tried to send you a show card and it came back. Sigh...thanks for the posts. Wish I was with you!
ReplyDeleteThose fabrics are gorgeous - any chance you can find the factory that makes them, and put in a bid for the off-cuts - or don't kimonos have off-cuts (perhaps bin or roll-ends might be more appropriate! You could then get more for your dollar that way!
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to have an outlet nearby where I can get my tweeds, velvets etc. which can otherwise be made into upholstery and or cushions. If I did not take the left-overs, they would have to be dumped and the factory pay for the privilege of disposal! Consider I'm helping the environment this way!!
The nosh looked and sounded good too! How about the hangover?
I love love love kimonos. They are such beautiful pieces of art. Perhaps in the summer, during the obon festival, you will get a chance to wear a yukata! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you're interested, but I studied in Japan for a semester several years ago, and I kept a blog during that time. Maybe you'd like it. :)
http://kelleyinjapan.blogspot.com/
I thought I was pretty decent at karaoke, but when I went in Hong Kong, I was blown away! Sounds like a fun night. I have 2 vintage kimonos, I ought to photograph them. I wish we had shops here that carried them.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading about kimonos and part of the wonder of the design is that the bolts of material are all the same size, have been from the beginning and the cutting leaves no leftover material, an ingenious bit of practicality and thrift. What amazes me is the way the differing designs, pattern against pattern, melds in such perfect harmony. I get goose bumps looking at their combinations. Growing up in a culture where one does not mix pattern with pattern this is, to me, so visually stimulating. I tell the Japanese women how I regret their decision, in the fifties, to take on Western wear and they pooh-pooh me telling me the hours it takes preparing to get into a kimono and wrapping it all properly and the requisite hair and make-up that needs doing to make the effect complete. But I'll tell you, it's such a spot of beauty and art to see, amidst the crowds of black-panted, white shirted, black brief-cased salarymen and grey skirted (albeit the most outrageous spikes, phew) and white bloused women to see a man or woman appear in full kimono regalia amongst them...the contrast alone is beauty....and art.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out your blog, Kelley, and hopefully, this weekend, I'll have the opportunity to wear a yukata...we're heading out to the country in search of an onsen we were told about (a natural hot springs spa). I'm looking forward to next months Children's Day where 3, 5 and 7 year olds gather at temples dressed in their finest kimonos for family celebration and picnicking. Hope to get some good pictures.
And....no hangover :) I'm a pretty moderate Molly here and being a music teacher, having a microphone shoved in my hand wasn't so intimidating....wish I had remembered how the song went, though!
Mary...I'll e-mail you my address...surprised with all your shows and classes you're able to find the time to think of me...I feel loved!
Pam, !!!! about the address.
ReplyDeleteMillions of years ago, I worked at the Seattle Art Museum. We had a gorgeous show on Japanese textiles. Each week we would have a woman from the Japanese community come in full kimono regalia and show and tell. She spent a lot of time with me explaining just how long it took to get all that on. The layers were mind boggling. It was like there was a teeny tiny lady under all the underwear. HA! Keep the good stuff coming. I am sooooo jealous. To visit Japan is one of my dreams.
Oh the art beauty in those kimmonos!!!It is such wonder to the eyes with how many designs they create and how they blend together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog post today. I was looking through your blog here and your art is beautiful. So where are you from originally? How many years have you lived in Japan? I would enjoy hearing your story.
♥Lee Ann