KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Looking into the future with Emi Takei

Emi Takei is one of the most popular Japanese actresses. She has appeared in dozens of films, including the great Rurouni Kenshin live action films. Is there any actress who looks better in a kimono?

Remember that you saw these kimonos here first! Commander Sulu from the USS Excelsior was able to “beam back” these images from her 2016 kimono collection. Oh my …

Actually, George — if you wanted it to rhyme, shouldn’t you say: “Oh – MAY”. Everyone else, just enjoy this refection from the future.

I also invite you to warp ahead to 2017, to enjoy this slideshow:

No Kidding, each photo is more lovely than the next. It is very hard to pick a favorite! Emi Takei all the way!

Emi Takei — my last K.O.M. in May!

Starlight: Don’t worry about all of that light speed, space-time continuum science stuff, just enjoy the kimonos!

 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Hawks Town Haruka Kodama

Quick! Before you scroll down, choose ROCK, PAPER or SCISSORS. You will see why at the bottom.

Haruka Kodama STUNS in this blue kimono! I will have to admit that I have not followed the HKT48 very much yet. The market for the “Hawks Town” 48 seems to targeted a little lower in age than AKB48. Kodama-san is a rising member in the AKB Family however, and I have taken notice.

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This 18 year old Yamaguchi Prefecture native is turning into a fan favorite. Haruka or “Haruppi” (her nickname) is the “oshimen” or at least the HKT “oshi” for many fans.

If you’re happy … then I’m happy, Haruppi!

Her nickname reminds me of the cute HKT48 single “Hikame I Love You” linked here .  I even have it stuck in my head now … “HAPPY … HAPPY…”

Help!!!

Haruka Kodama is part of a “dynamic duo” within the HKT48 along with co-member Sakura Miyawaki. I’ve noticed that there is always a “dynamic duo” in each sister group. In NMB48 it would be Sayaka and Miyuki. In JKT48 it would be Melodie and Haruka. In SKE48 it would be Jurina and Rena. AKB … probably Mayuyu and Yukirin.

Sakura (L) and Haruka (R) of HKT48. They are not in kimono, but these dresses are very pretty. Maybe the sash and dress are “kimono-inspired” fashion!

Haruppi trivia: Kodama-san’s birthday is September 19, 1996. Exactly the same day when I last updated my webpage at work!

Help me UPLOAD Haruppi-chan!!!

Get this — her favorite color is “Black and White”. That is odd, for the very colorful “Happy Haruppi”!

Of course Haruka Kodama is inspirational to digital artists!

Are you ready to face Haruka now?

DID YOU WIN? I’ll bet you chose Scissors! 

OK, Haruppi, you can relax now … Hey! … that’s not a kimono that’s a ROBE!

Starlight: I calculated that it is 6,899.27 miles to the Hawks Town Mall. How many Kodama postage stamps would it take to get my letter to Hawks Town?

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Kimono costume wardrobe worn in the 1980 TV series “Shogun”

Blackthorne: “Is this the Japans?”

Kimono costume wardrobe in the 1980 TV series “Shogun”:

I watched the “Shogun” TV miniseries when it first aired way back in 1980. I watched it again last year. Now that I have a much greater interest in kimonos and Japanese culture, I enjoyed it a lot more.

The show was a ground breaking series. Much as European countries knew little about “The Japans” in the 16^th century, most Americans knew little about Japanese culture in 1980. (Yes, count me too.) I can recall back then when the “urination scene” and the “beheading scene” caused a lot of reaction.* The great thing about re-watching it on Netflix DVD was that there are many “making of” special features and interviews included.  One of the irritating things is that there are no subtitles or closed captions. Like Richard Chamberlain‘s “Blackthorne” character, the viewer has to keep asking “What did he say”?  The sets, the artwork and the costumes were great.  It was a treat to watch the great Toshiro Mifune as Shogun Toranaga. At one point in the interviews, the director said that millions of American men fell in love with the “Mariko” character. (Yes, count me too.) The actress Yoko Shimada was cast at the last minute, when the original actress left for a singing career. She was  fascinating to watch.

*I encourage you to watch-it-again-for-the-first-time!

Here is a snippet from the gentle musical soundtrack (from there, YouTube links to more).

Starlight: It took 34 years for me to re-view this wonderful TV miniseries! 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #35): Oshima-U-Co Style Book 2015

I Heart Yuko at least 120% !!!

It brings joy to my heart to find these images from the 2015 “Style Book” recently published by the OshimaUCo company.  She is an actress, singer, dancer, and circus unicyclist.  In addition to being a Superwoman, the former AKB48 front-woman Yuko Oshima is also known for her popular kimono designs.  Oshima-san designs wedding kimonos — despite being single herself!

The funny little elf can make herself look seriously beautiful when she wants to. Tell me I’m not the only one under her spell …

Please enjoy this slideshow of scans from the book!

Oshima U Co?  … Oshima Yuko!

Oh, how do you solve a problem like YUKO ?

I wonder if they have Yuko’s style book at Barnes & Noble?

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #32): Happy Christmas Kimonos!

Thank you for emailing the photo of your lovely Christmas furisode my dear … er, cousin.

Merry Christmas everyone! This week, we will view some Christmas themes on kimonos!  Look how much fun and beauty these lovely women are adding to the decor of the Christmas season.  Thank you, ladies — whoever you are!  You have made this elf especially jolly.

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I think that bright red is a great choice for a kimono or furisode.  The colors of Christmas seem to fit well.  Christmas kimonos are also a great opportunity to experiment with some different patterns.  Kimono gowns are also pretty in Christmas patterns. Here are two good ideas:

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Chestnuts?  Well something around here sure is roasting!

All I want for Christmas is my two front — kimono models!

Tired of giving/receiving those Christmas sweaters everyone laughs about? Consider a Christmas kimono! 

 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (week #31): Wa Lolita

I like Japanese “Lolita” fashions.  I love kimonos.  I will merge these two interests together today in order to share some images of the “Wa Lolita” style.

“Wa Lolita” is a Lolita fashion style that incorporates traditional kimono elements, but maintains a standard “Lolita-style” profile or silhouette. A short Japanese kimono is usually worn over a Lolita petticoat.  Alternatively, an otherwise “normal” Lolita dress is made from traditional kimono fabrics and with patterns that look like they would be on a Japanese kimono.

Why “Wa” Lolita? Some Lolita fashionistas do not like the term. I know, to an American of my generation it sounds like something comedian Jerry Lewis would say:  “WAAA- Lolita … Hey Lady!”

The prefix Wa is from the kanji Wa (和) which (they tell me) translates as “Japan” or “Japanese style” but may also mean “harmony”, “peace” and “soften” — depending on the context.  I think all of these descriptors are appropriate for this amazingly beautiful style!

Wa Lolita!

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Atsuko Maeda at the London Premier of “The Hobbit”

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I couldn’t crop him out of the photo : )

Notice: I am going to give my readers a double-dose of my “Kimonos on Monday” post today, because I could not wait another week to share these photos of Atsuko Maeda with you!

I know that I am a few days late with this post.  Atsuko Maeda recently attended the London premier of the the last movie in “The Hobbit” series. Although Acchan is not in the film, who could better represent the Japanese entertainment industry than Atsuko Maeda?  She wears a lovely kimono as you can see.

There is a great shot of her right at the beginning of this clip:

Most of this clip does not feature Atsuko, but it is still very worthwhile to see the interaction between Acchan and actor Orlando Bloom –who plays the Elf “Legolas” in the film.  Mr. Bloom compliments Maeda-san on her traditional dress.

Here are a couple of other photos from this event out there on the Interwebs.

The two expressed some interest in working together.  When is Hollywood going to catch on to how great she is???

Acchan we want to see more of this kimono!

… oh wait I COULD  : )

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #26): Iwasa Misaki “Selfies” in Kimono

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Always with the “selfies” this one …

Iwasa Misaki:  What a VOICE!  What a BEAUTY!  I love the Enka-performances of the great Iwasa Misaki.  I have noticed that she takes a lot of “selfies”.  There must be a lot waiting-around backstage.  Next time, maybe someone else can take the photos, so we can see more of her beautiful kimonos.  … and I know just the guy!

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These are two “Enka” singing performances by Wasamin from earlier this year.  She wears amazing kimonos in both of these. Turn up the HD full screen!

In this last video, which again features Wasamin in a beautiful kimono, she sings the national anthem before a Hiroshima Carp baseball game (April 2014).

Then she throws out the first pitch in Kimono …

No …  “Jose” did not see anything : )

 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #25): The art prints of Haruyo Morita

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This week, I want to share some of the art prints available from Japanese artist Haruto Morita.  She creates beautiful images, many of which feature lovely Japanese women in kimono!

She is originally from Kita-Katsushika County, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Morita-san now lives in on the New South Wales coast at Korora, in Australia: “where the light and climate are perfect for her work.” (from her web bio page).

Also from her web page bio: “Her work can best be described as a contemporary representation of the traditional Ukiyo-e, and ranging from the Heian to Edo and Meiji periods.”

Her web site is linked here.

… or this way http://www.haruyomorita.com.au/

Please enjoy this small slide show of some of work.  Better yet, visit her website and order a print!

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You can also purchase screensavers, jigsaw puzzles and other items derived from her art.

Hint-Hint: If you were wondering what I wanted for Christmas …

KIMONOS ON MONDAY (Week #24): Crane Patterns on Kimono

Crane patterns on Kimono

Welcome to snowy Hokkaido! … or at least in my imagination I am there …

One of the great things about Hokkaido are the famous white cranes. These are majestic, beautiful and graceful birds.

Red-Crowned White Cranes of Hokkaido

“Majestic, beautiful and graceful” — might also describe kimono fashions! I will combine my admiration of the Hokkaido cranes, with my love of kimonos for this week’s post.

 

The crane pattern is one of my favorite styles.  The Hokkaido white crane mates for life, thus the crane pattern is often utilized for wedding kimonos. The white crane is also a symbol of a long life. Or does it just seem longer if you are married? (Denny is immediately smacked by Mrs. Sinnoh.)

I enjoy looking at the crane pattern, even if there is not a lady wearing it.  Here are some views of full kimonos, as well as a few close-ups of the crane kimono fabric!

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Also, the crane pattern is cute on other “kimono-inspired” fashion, such as kimono “minis”, kimono robes, wraps and even kimono-gowns!

The crane on the kimono can also be seen in East Asian art:

Hope you enjoyed the styles as much as I do!

Don’t forget the obi !