Mochitsuki in Tucson this weekend!

Join me at Yume Japanese Gardens! I'll take some photos as well, so look for a new post after January 4th. 
Happy new Year everyone!
~Reb

It's All Souls Procession Weekend!

If you follow this blog, you will know that the first Sunday in November is the famous Tucson All Souls Procession. Odaiko Sonora, my taiko group, always participates with a large group of dancers at the front of the procession and we perform "Tucson Ondo", our own Bon Odori/Day of the Dead folk dance. We wear Japanese-inspired costumes such as happi, yukata, etc. I always wear a kimono or yukata.
This year's color is red, which for kimono junkies, is a very easy color to work with. Here what I'm wearing this Sunday- basically a pattern on pattern red and white ensemble!

This kimono with a different red obi. 

Probably this juban since it's my current favorite and has quite a bit of red in it. 

Obi detail

This red/multi hakata obi

Possibly this obijime because you can't have enough stripes!

I'd like to wear these casual zori with red tabi sox but I might have to wear jika tabi or tennis shoes since I'll be on my feet for so long.

If it's really, really cold, I can add this jaunty ama coat!

The rest of the taiko crew will be looking like this, wearing festive red happi. (BTW, I'm on the far left with the odaiko bachi in my hand).

There will be lots of photos to share, so I will be sure to share after Sunday.

Happy Halloween and have a great weekend.
~Reb

Kimono-wearing event: taiko at The Rogue Theater

I saw Odaiko Sonora at The Rogue Theater Saturday night. It was a wonderful show and a really nice venue for taiko though it was a small theater
It is now the kimono-wearing "season" where I live, so I took advantage! I wore the new striped hitoe (unlined) kimono I bought this summer with a tsuke (pre-tied or easy obi), and a new obijime. The stripes are considered a multi-season motif but the colors look like autumn to me, so I paired the casual kimono with an golden tachibana (a type of citrus) for a little bit more formality and to play up the autumn theme. The autumn colors were continued with the multi-colored obijime and red obiage.

Here is a refresher image of the kimono fabric and kitsuke bits, including the sample fabric juban (under kimono).

I chose the hitoe kimono since I was still kind of warm during the day (90 F today!) but much cooler at night with just a twinge of fall chill in the air. I posed for photos just as the sun was going down, hence the subdued colors.

Trying to look cool with my sleeves folded over as the wind was trying to blow my kimono open

Naughty naughty juban!

Shortly after this photo, I decided to change from plain white tabi to fun tabi sox! I didn't get a full-length photo since it had already gotten too dark and I need to get going to the show. The sox matched perfectly and were really fun to wear. A nice alternative to formal tabi with the right outfit. 

Image is supposed to be a geisha but it looks like an oiran to me!

It was a great outfit to wear; the hitoe kimono was very comfortable and I really love this kimono. The stripes give it a very crisp look and looks little more modern. The tsuke obi felt a bit weird since this was the first time I'd worn a pre-tied obi! But it was really easy to wear. However, for this style, you still need the obiage, makura, and obijime just like when you wear a regular Nagoya obi. 

The next kimono-wearing event is October 19th in Phoenix. Stay tuned until then!

~Reb

Otsukimi 2013 is almost here

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is open again!

I'm hoping to be able to go this year.. It's a very nice event and a great way to enjoy the cooler weather in Phoenix. It may still be a bit warm for awase, but at least I will make an effort to try out some fall motifs or colors. Maybe I'll wear the hawk and chrysanthemum obi again! For details, ticket information, and a link to their Facebook page, check their website. 


Maybe I will see you there!~rebecca

Otsukimi Moonviewing 2013

When: Saturday, October 19, 05:00PM-09:00PM

Where: The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix 1125 North 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003 United States

A truly Japanese experience, Otsukimi is a much-anticipated annual event. Gates open at 4:30 pm and you may stroll the peaceful Garden path all evening as you enjoy the program.