Kimono Everyday!

Great ideas!!

2008-02-21T19:34:00.002-06:00

I recently found this guys kimono blog! It has so many good ideas that Iam dying to try!

http://ameblo.jp/redstar-wolf-kimono/

An obi decoration of somesort. I think its pretty cool!

I would hesitate, myself, to try this one but good find none the less:

Love his patterned Haneri!

Another cool blog, this one I think is his girlfriend:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/chokonyan/

Little too short!

2008-02-18T19:43:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite kimono is a little to short now. Its my brown with stripes awase. I love it so much! Especially because of the stripes, but it was one of my first kimono too!

I wore it anyway, with a hat and regular shoes. I dont think it looks too bad even if it is short. Ive seen other men wearing shorter kimono, so I say if its not TOO short, go for it!

Wool again

2008-02-15T11:52:00.001-06:00

I wore my blue wool kimono again but wore a red obi instead. Wool is so comfortable, and great for our weather here!

Etsy

2008-02-13T20:44:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to take some time to show off my Etsy shop. Not much there yet but Iam working on getting some more stuff up.

cravestation.etsy.com

I just listed a card that Iam in love with!

Prudence, a deers best quality. Check it out!

Geta Fabric

2008-02-11T21:05:00.000-06:00

While browsing Etsy today I found this fabric:

Little geta all over it! You can find it here if interested:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8734187

Also wanted to share a fellow Immortal Geisha member's etsy shop since she always has the coolest kitsuke stuff on there:

marissajoannarojas.etsy.com

Kitsuke Tips

2008-01-21T20:15:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share some kitsuke tips for you guys out there.

Sneakers
Wearing sneakers with kimono can really add a modern touch to your outfit. Try and find some that are less chunky and have cool colors.

Sweaters
Sweaters can look really good underneath a kimono. They look best with a high neck like a turtle-neck. Choose a color that matches the rest of your ensemble. This will not only look great, but keep you warm!

Thats all I can think of now, so try them out!

Woolen Winter

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000-06:00

I know, lame name but the past few days have been possibly the coldest days Ive ever experienced in my life! So I wanted to get my wool kimono on. Its a nice dark blue color, even though it looks black in the picture.

I also put my other wool kimono on the Immortal Geisha trading thread since the wingspan was too short. I really liked the yabane though. Oh well, maybe I'll get something better for it!

Wool Kimono

2007-11-27T16:52:00.000-06:00

I got my first two wool kimono from Ryu-Japan's sale! One was only $1 and the other was free! What a bargain! Well shipping wasnt so pleasing. But im happy anyway! The first one is a dark blue wool. and the other is a womens blue wool with yabane pattern! Its the perfect length for me so i was going to alter the sleeves to make it a mens.

I cant wait till they arrive!

Men's Styles

2007-11-17T19:17:00.000-06:00

There just isnt much experimentation in mens kitsuke! But i would like to share some pictures I thought were cool and inspiring for my own kimono wardrobe.

I like the mix of colors and his haori is awesome! Although i dont like purple much...

I love his hat. I wish I has more hats that went with kimono.

I wish I had more haori. I have two black ones, how exciting! ha! But iam bidding on a khaki colored one on ebay! Cross your fingers! I need some more geta too. Im limited on colors with my current pairs.

Hopefully I will get some kitsuke pictures up soon.

Kill 'em with a Smile

2007-11-05T20:45:00.000-06:00

My sinuses have been acting up lately. My throat is so sore. So im sitting here drinking some hot green tea. Its awfully nasty but it soothes my throat.

Iam starting a work out schedule that I can hopefully stick to and build some muscle! Of course that means I will have to eat more protein and what not. I just dont have a big appetite. So ive been bento shopping and maybe I will start packing a bento for lunch everyday. I ordered some neat onigiri wrappers that keep the seaweed fresh until time for lunch! Wish me luck with working out!

Kimono people

2007-11-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

I love looking at other peoples kimono blogs. The many ideas, beautiful kimono, and fun stories are fantastic! A couple of them are usually regulary updated. I always look back in their archives to see all their outfits! Here are my favorites:

Cocon Room

Nanairo Doesnt update anymore but still has some great photos.

Mamechiyo

If anyone has a favorite kimono blog please share it!

Get out your awase!

2007-10-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

Well, autumn has finally fallen on Mt.Juliet. The weather is getting cooler, leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are everywhere! I got around to storing all my summer kimono in a seperate trunk that fits under my bed. I already miss them! But my heart lept when I began to take out all my fall and winter kimono!

Fall and Winter are my favorite kimono wearing seasons! The warmth and patterns of the kimono bring back so many memories! Some of my favorite kimono are awase. My brown striped one in particular. I cant wait to wear some of my new ones like the yellow, or the black and grey striped one. So start getting out your awase, its fall y'all!

Humph

2007-10-09T23:11:00.000-05:00

Well I havent updated with any new kimono lately. Ive been so perplexed with a million other things! (Even though i have some new kimono items Iam dieing to try on!) Lately I've been working on a costume for Halloween. If youve ever played Halo then you will know what an Elite is. Thats my current project, an elite costume.

As you can see, they have two joints in their legs. To acheive this look iam making stilts, werewolf stilts to be exact. Im pretty excited about this costume, I just hope I finish it in time for Halo-ween! :P

Ro again!

2007-08-18T14:16:00.000-05:00

The weather here is unbearable!! With the high of 103 i think ro is a smart choice!! But today i wore it with a grey obi. I think I like this better than the yellow actually!

I got a new obi today in the mail! Its red and grey!! I think i have a few kimono that wil match it great!!

Washi Dolls

2007-08-14T20:02:00.001-05:00

Sorry I have not been able to wear kimono lately becasue I have been sick again and Iam busy with school! I hate being sick!

I have been interested in Washi Dolls. Washi paper is handmade Japanese paper. It can be decorated many ways; yuzen, anything! Washi dolls are made with washi paper. I love their kimono! This is my favorite of the artist Dan Fletcher:

He is an amazing doll artist! You can see his other works here:

http://www.fletcher-oriented.com/Pages/Navigation/home2.html

I have ordered some washi to try and make one myself! Hopefully when i finish it I will post it here!

Tomodachi Asuka!

2007-08-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

Asuka Ieiri is my penpal. She lives in Osaka, Japan. She is 16 years old. We have been penpals for at almost three years! I love getting letters from my dear friend Asuka-chan! She is very cute aswell! Oh we talk about everything; seasons, food, our cities, friends! Lately we have been texting each other on our cell phones! I didnt even know I could do that with someone from another country! When I go to Kyoto in October, I will be meeting up with Asuka. She likes maiko and geiko too! We were meant for each other! haha! Actually, we share allot of the same intrests. I absoluetly cannot wait to meet her in person.

(Asuka-chan is on the right!)

Ro

2007-08-03T19:21:00.000-05:00

Today I wore my new ro for the first time! It was so comfortable! I didnt want to take it off!! It is very light and super breathable. Its great for our weather here, hot! Ro feels like your wearing almost nothing! haha! You can see right through it!

The design is great too:

I need a ro haori next. They are all over ebay but I have yet to get one!

New kimono! Again!

2007-07-30T13:03:00.000-05:00

Again a new kimono! I need to slow down because I have no more storage for them!! Well I really like this hitoe! Its so airy! Perfect for our weather here, HOT! I wore it with a yellow kaku obi, haori, and a green haori himo.

You should look at my deviant art profile! I have some geiko and maiko pictures I did there and will always add more!

http://wes61991.deviantart.com/

Mamechiho is now onesan to Mamehana! Since Mamesaho quit Mamechiho got a new little sister! Mamehana is so kawaii!! Melissa has a picture of her on her flickr:

http://flickr.com/photos/mboogiedown/875928450/in/set-1131408/

I also made a website for the new Nashville Kimono Club! Check it out!
http://www.freewebs.com/nashvillekimono/

Oops!

2007-07-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

Its been a while but Im posting again! I was sick for two days and have been busy planning my trip to Kyoto. I leave for kyoto in October! Iam so excited! I will be staying in Gion! While iam on the subject of Gion, Mamesaho, the little sister of Mamechiho, quit! I was so dissapointed when hearing this! She was so cute!

Well I got a new kimono! I really like it because it has stripes! I have a better matching obi coming but until then I wore my grey kaku obi. This is probably my best fitting kimono. Its length is perfect and the sleeves are only a little short.

Ookini!!

2007-07-20T23:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting in such a long time!! I'll post a new outfit tomorrow! I had just finished renovating my bedroom. But Ive also been busy lately. I had an audition Thursday for a music video.

On the subject of acting, If your interested I'll tell you abou my acting career. Ive been modeling and acting for all my life. Some of the music videos Ive done are Little Bitty by Alan Jackson, Foolish Pride by Travis Tritt, and many more. Ive done Big Time Toys commercials, countless print ads for Kasternots and other stores and magazines. The latest thing ive done was a commercial for CMT. I was in a boy band playing the bass guitar. I hope to be a famous actor one day so look for me!!

Have a wonderful night and I will see you in the morning! (with a new outfit!) (^-^)/

Stripes

2007-07-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

I wore my brown kimono with stripes today. I wore a contrasting yellow obi with it! Ive been looking for hats to wear with kimono. Golf hats look great with kimono but I cant seem to find any.

Sashiko

2007-07-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

Lately Ive been into Zakka. Ive made a few things zakka inspired and now Im hooked!! Zakka is basically crafting homemade goods. Plushes, bags, toys, anything. If your interested you might want to visit Kitty-Craft Japanese Zakka & Craft Shop.

http://www.kitty-craft.com/

They have some kawaii fabrics to use and some free patterns for zakka.

Ive also been interested in Sashiko, a type of decorative stitching. Im trying to learn as much as I can so I can use it when making zakka! haha!

Kimono Photoshoots!

2007-07-13T11:00:00.001-05:00

Today I went outside and took some pictures! It was very hot today so I wore Hitoe. I like the white/yellow combination I did this time. All i need is a yello haneri to match!

Please excuse the poses, I cant figure out which way to pose that flatters the kimono.

I also wore my new kimono again for some more shots!

New Kimono and bag!

2007-07-12T14:17:00.000-05:00

I got a new kimono yesterday and wore it today! I took Sugar, my shihtzu to the groomer today! She looks so much better!

I love this kimono! Its yellow with tiny green zig-zags in the pattern. I also made a kimono carry case. It is very handy. I can fit everything I need in it! I still need to put a pocket on the front but it works great!

Hot hot hot!!!!

2007-07-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

Wow today is so hot. I step outside and almost die!!(*~*) Well despite the heat I wore my omeshi kimono. I love this kimono because it fits great! If only the sleeves were a little longer it would be perfect!! I paired it with a King Ghidorah Obi and orange geta. I would have added a haori but I didnt want to die of a heatstroke so didnt!! haha! I need a ro haori!

I also packed a bento today! I made Tamagoyaki! It was delicious! Along with it are egg rolls and chocolate cookies! (I know im breaking the rules!)

Im waiting for several things in the mail but today I got my copy of The Tale of Genji. I love it so far!

Yukata!!

2007-07-07T11:16:00.000-05:00

Its hot today! I am wearing my yukata with orange accessories and geta today!

Iam planning on making a kimono coat like this:

I am going to use wool for the outside and maybe line it with a patchwork technique using fairytale fabrics. I would buy one but they are usually very very expensive! I saw one on Yahoo Japan Auctions for $500!!

Drive-In Theatre!

2007-07-06T19:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight I went to the Drive in theatre! it was fun! We saw Ratatouile and Evan Almighty. They were great!

I wore my peacock hitoe with a haori and yellow obi!

I won two new kimono! I got the ro kimono I wanted so badly and I also got a new hitoe! AND I placed a big order through kimono export. A wool kimono set, obi, geta, and tabi. I cant wait to get my goodies!!!

Fourth of July!

2007-07-05T13:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Independence day! my family and I shot off fireworks as usual. It was really fun!

Today Iam wearing one of my favorite kimono, my brown stripes kimono! I wore a grey obi and a checked han eri. This outfit is so comfortable! I was lounging around the house today and to my surprise my kitsuke was still intact! I had been laying on my bed watching a movie for a while and when I got up everything was straight!

Fireworks display!

2007-07-03T17:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight Im going to a fireworks show on the lake! I decided to wear yukata. I usually try more fun outfits with yukata. So i wore a red stars obi with some blue peeking out. I also wore a red han-eri and a red hat. I dont have enough blue in my outfit as i wanted. And im not too fond of this ensemble but i wore it anyway to be festive! How does the hat look?

I also packed a bento for a snack while watching the fireworks. I will post the picture later!

I noticed people are actually viewing my blog! If you have not noticed, I added a map locator that shows where people who visit are from! I think it is very neat! Im getting visitors from many different countries! If you do like my blog, please feel free to leave me a comment on my kimono or just say hello! Thanks for looking and come back soon!

My favorite again!

2007-07-02T12:28:00.000-05:00

I wore my white hitoe today! I love this kimono sooo much! Its very cool! I wore a patterned Han-eri and my grey hakata print obi.

Summer is definatley here! It is so hot outside! It is supposed to be the hottest summer in a while! Ive been looking for a Ro kimono but until now I havent found any! Ebay has a wonderful one up! It is a great color and just my size!

Isnt it great? Wish me luck when bidding!

Purple Kimono

2007-06-29T18:06:00.000-05:00

I wore my purple kimono on this rainy day. I like this kimono because it feels so good to the touch! And it fits great too. I also wore my yellow obi with it.

A few people from Immortal Geisha forums and I are having a kimono meetup in the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens tomorrow. Sadly, I wont be able to go. I really wanted to cgo to this because it will be the first one. Hopefully we will have more in the future! I also missed the Japanese Classics Concert earlier this month. :( I miss everything!

New Obi!

2007-06-26T16:49:00.000-05:00

Im back from New York! It was so much fun!

Today i wore my brown stripes kimono with a new obi. I also wore mismatch tabi with my orange geta!

New kimono!!

2007-06-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting in a while, ive been busy with parties and getting ready for New York in two days! Also tomorrow is my Birthday!! Yah!

Anyway, I wore my new hitoe today! I think this is one of my favorite kimono! It is so crisp and chic! I added red accessories and used one of my sisters belts as an obi! I think it gives it a very "kimono-Hime" look! haha! Again I wore western shoes with this outfit. The kimono is a little short so i let me juban peek out a bit. Does that look good?

Sorry for such a small picture.

Yesterday I rented "The Sea is Watching." It was such a good movie. Only thing was on the box it said "geisha" but clearly they were courtesans (oiran, tayu.) But i enjoyed it very much! I think the plot was smashing and the ending couldnt have been better! I definatley recommend you pick this one up!

Time for Hitoe!

2007-06-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

I wore my new hitoe today! It has beautiful peacocks on it! It is so light and cool so i felt very good today in the heat. I wore a simple blue obi with it. I have a new hitoe that should be here soon. I cant wait to get it! Its white so ive been planning on wearing red with it.

See you all tomorrow! *My birthday is soon!*

Tennis Shoes and kimono

2007-06-11T21:47:00.001-05:00

Today I went to the Zoo. I was dissapointed that they took out my favorite animal, the cheetah. But I got to see their new crocodile and giraffe exhibit. It was fun!

Today wasnt so hot so i wore my brown striped synthetic kimono. I love this kimono, its so light and crisp. I also wore my red obi and matching red han-eri. I tried a more modern style by wearing red tennis shoes! I think I like the shoes with it! As a final touch i wore an apple obi decoration.

Tomorrow Im gonna try adding modern shoes to my kimono outfit again! Good night!

Pensions for Geiko

2007-06-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

I found this article interesting. Kyoto is giving pension money to the maiko and geiko. In the old days, danna, or patrons, provided financial support for geiko to help pay their kimono, hairdressing, etc. Nowadays this is less common so Kyoto is helping:

"KYOTO, Japan's prolonged economic slump has sparked moves in Kyoto to establish an additional pension system for geisha who perform their arts in teahouses.

"Maiko" apprentice geisha in Kyoto's Gion Kobu entertainment quarter watch a play at the Minami-za theater in December.

The Kyoto Traditional Musical Art Foundation is pushing the plan under the leadership of its secretary general, Hiroyuki Yamazaki, who said his organization wants to extend "some sort of assistance (to geisha) as a substitute for patrons who used to help them purchase kimono and pay fees for lessons."

The number of patrons is said to have declined due to the economic doldrums, casting a shadow on restaurant and geisha districts in Kyoto.

The foundation plans to give 50,000 yen a month to active geisha aged 60 or older starting from April next year. About 60 working women in five geisha districts in the city are eligible, including one who is still active at 93

The foundation said it does not intend to collect money for the pension system from currently active geisha. Instead, it plans to set aside part of the fees paid by its members -- residents of Kyoto and others -- and revenues from events it hosts.

Katsue, a 17-year-old maiko who works in Kamishichiken near Nishijin, formerly the kimono-making district, said: "The economy is bad and unlike bygone days, there is no one who is willing to become a patron.

"I don't have any strong feelings about a pension, because I am young. But I think it would be nice to have such a system."

Kosen, 20, who is scheduled to become a geisha in Miyakawacho in May, said: "I feel apprehensive unless there is some degree of future security. The establishment of the pension system would make it easier for me to continue working."

Tommorow iam going to the zoo! I'll post my kimono ensemble then!

Dressing up a yukata!

2007-06-09T15:52:00.000-05:00

It has been so hot lately, so today i dressed up my yukata. I wore a light blue han-eri and a blue patterned obi with blue chili peppers on it. Under my obi I added some more blue to stick out the top. My obi charm is a teapot i made. I like this ensemble and just threw it together this morning. I think it looks very modern! Im gonna try adding the little color sticking out from under the obi more often!

I wanted to share a bit about my favorite Maiko, Mamechiho! Mamechiho is the most famous maiko in Gion. She is a junior maiko and so kawaii!

I know lots of people who love Mamechiho! She is just adorable! I cant wait to see her as a geiko.

Stormy Days

2007-06-08T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not posting kimono outfits lately, I had forgotten my password!

Today we had a great big storm! The power went out and we were stuck in the dark for about twenty minuets. But everything is okay!

Iam planning to visit my friend Asuka who lives in Osaka. I hope to be able to go in October its so pretty during fall! Since Osaka is close to Kyoto, Iam excited to go there too! Plus, there are many great kimono shops in Kyoto as well!!

I thought this was interesting. Its an article about kimono designer Nobuaki Tomita. He is very popular as a kimono designer and i found his motto to be quite fascinating:
"Cherish the old; know the new"
Nobukai owns a kimono design and styling company based in Kyoto. While in San Fransisco, he had a kimono demo in the Asia Arts Museum. As the models demonstrated how to don kimono, audience members asked Tomita questions about the art of the garb. There was a moment of embarrassment when one man asked the designer to demonstrate how Japanese women use the bathroom while wearing such intricate layers.

On the same note, kimono designer Mamechiyo is one of my heroes! She is well known for her chic modern kimono designs and trendy kimono style! She has a shop based in Japan called Mamechiyo Modern and has yet to spread into other countries. I love her designs.
Her web-blog- http://mamechiyo.exblog.jp/i0
Her webshop- http://mamechiyo.jp/shop/index.php

I really adore Mamechiyo. I hope kimono wearing will spread!

Kimono Everyday!

2007-06-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!! My name is Wesley. I hope you will enjoy my kimono blog. I will post what kimono outfit i wear each day! Sound like fun? I will also post some of my bento lunches ofr everyone to enjoy! Lets start off with a little about me!

Obviously, i LOVE traditional Japanese stuff! Kimono are amazing! And can be very chic and modern if you know how to wear them! I hope to bring back the art of wearing kimono into everyday life! I also enjoy Bento!! bento lets me express my self in food! And also provides me with an awesome lunch that i will be happy to eat! I like crafting, dogs, nature, music, and lots more!

摩耗の着物を許可する!

Well lets get this started!!

Todays outfit is a mix of fun and refined. I wore my brown omeshi kimono and a synthetic haori. I paired it with my godzilla obi! I love this obi! Im always on the lookout for interesting obi. I like this outfit because i think i look good in subdued colors! (*^-^*)

See you all tomorrow!