Bundles of silk
Colourful silks dyed in exotic colours. Gold and silver glimmering threads woven. In May, for one of my classes I got to try on a Kimono. Kimonos are definitely one of Japan's most recognisable pieces of clothing. Probably you'd see it and think geisha.
Nowadays the Kimono is worn by the younger generation when participating in their Coming of Age ceremonies, hosting a tea ceremony or attending a wedding. Geisha and their apprentices, Maiko and some of the older generation (yes, both men and women) still wear them on a daily basis. Owning your own Kimono is quite rare because of the sheer cost that comes with purchasing one. They can range from $5000-20,000.
Kimonos have many layers and one of the more famous ones were worn in the Heian Period which could have up to 12 layers (Juni-hitoe). These were reserved for the court-ladies and Empresses. The one I got to wear was a furisode Kimono which is reserved for unmarried women to wear. It is usually more colourful and used to advertise the single status of the wearer.
Usually you have to have someone to help dress you, because of the complicity of matching the layers and colours. The idea is a 'column' is pretty and ideal. The kimono is meant to be sleek and uniform. In bid to do this, you usually get packed with folded towels to create this flat surface. For someone like me, who is top heavy but still has a waist, it is the MOST HORRIBLE thing! I just look round. urgh
Since I don't have many pictures of me being dressed here is some piccies of my friends and I playing human dolls~
As you can see our hair has been set with range of different accessories from bows to flowers to beads.
Then we went to join the boys... who were dressed in Hakama.
Hakama is the used to be a male only clothing but in recent times it worn by both men and women. For women its usually during the university graduation ceremony in which it is commonly worn. Hakama has 7 deep pleats in the 'pants' to represent the 7 virtues of the bushido (武士道）which are essential to the samurai way. Apparently it is an advantage when you have a beer belly, because it shows that you are wealthy and powerful... if not you can always have a helping hand from those lovely folded towels. Like the kimono its quite rare for people to wear, I have a friend who hasn't even worn it once!
Time for some group photos~
Thats all folks~
P.S: Thanks to the lovely ladies who helped dress me >.<
Labels: Explore Japan, Japan, Kimono
Name: Daphne or Duffy
My heart, it races is inspired by a song and I decided to share with people what things that make my heart race, be it good or bad. I'm still relatively new to blogging but I do vlogging which can be found on youtube. 
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