Kimonos on Monday: Photos of my Iwasa Misaki concert DVD covers and insert booklets.

“Forget blogging.” That is what I tell myself. I am in so much trouble at work for being such a deadwood employee, that I feel guilty even posting a few photos. I had been wanting to write a review of Iwasa Misaki’s first solo concert DVD last year, but never could. Then she released another solo concert earlier this year. Both are great concerts. There is this inner scream inside me that just wants to tell someone about them …

If I cannot write about them, perhaps some of my readers would be interested in coming over to my house, and we can watch them together. Then I can tell you all about them. I will have some cupcakes we can share, while I give my commentary … We can make an afternoon out of it!

Failing that, I can at least share some of the photo cards and insert pamphlet art which came with the DVDs. Of course, Misaki-san wears beautiful kimonos through most of it.

Next time, I would like to write about my Iwasa Misaki CDs. Each CD came with a unique photo card included … and … oh.

(Denny sighs).

Starlight: If only I could write “Akihabara Starlight” for a living …

Kimonos on Monday: Iwasa Misaki at Shin-Kabukiza Theater

It seems light years since I made a post to my “Kimonos on Monday” series. It has also been a long time since I posted anything about the lovely and talented Miss Iwasa Misaki. It’s been a long time since I rock-and-rolled. Ahem. Excuse me …

Unlike me, the ex-AKB48 Idol turned Enka-singer has kept busy performing concerts, releasing new singles, albums and concert Blu-Rays. Yes I own both concert disks!

Wasamin posts a lot of her glamorous kimono photos on her Instagram page (linked here) and her Twitter site (linked here). I thought that this photo was particularly interesting. Is it a kimono or a costume? Ms. Misaki contributed to a show at the Shin-Kabukiza Theater in Osaka last month. Even though Misaki-san usually wears a stunning kimono for her Enka-music concerts, I would have to classify this kimono as a “costume” for the show.

Wasamin is wearing a WIG in case you could not tell. I wonder if she would ever style her real hair in that traditional way for a special concert.

Wasamin next to a promotion for her latest record release.

“Say Hello to my little friend!”

(Denny’s Readers groan …)

I love both the traditional and popular culture of Japan. Despite that, I could never really get too interested in Kabuki. I’ve seen some Kabuki Theater on YT videos, but I have to admit, I can’t watch for very long. The art and costumes are great of course … but I can’t really understand it. I would certainly enjoy a show if it featured Wasamin though!

The official website for the Osaka’s Shin-Kabukiza Theater is linked here: https://www.osakastation.com/osaka-shin-kabukiza-theater/

Although I do not have video of Wasamin at the SK Theater, here are some recent TV performances: How long will YT leave then up?

Starlight: What, where did they go?

Kimonos on Someday … Haruka Kodama on her “Coming of Age Day” January 9, 2017.

Oh … she turned 20 this past year. Will Harrupi just keep getting more and more beautiful every year?

It was “Coming of Age Day” in Japan on  Monday, January 9th. Several members of the AKB48 family were in attendance at Kanda Myojin shrine. I would like to share photos of all of them, but have been too busy to make blog posts. I thought I would at least share a few photos of one of my favorite HKT48 members — Haruka Kodama. “Harrupi” looks happy, and she STUNS as per usual in her blue and floral pattern furisode. The hairpins were homemade by the delicious young idol herself.

Holy Happy Homemade Hawkstown Harrupi Hairpins!!!

I am still in the process of collecting images from Google, Tumblr, and various websites which have covered the event. Several other of my favorites also were at the event. I will need to find photos of the glorious face of Nao Furuhata, the intimidating Jurina Matsui (who colored her famous jet-black hair for the event!), and that peppy little Ririka Sotou … just to name a few.

“… same to you buddy!”

Of course I could not be there to give a shout to my favorite young idols.  The day was cold wet and nasty …

… kind of like what it is like at my employer’s … but I digress. I will try to find and post some more photos and photographer’s photo links of the big day — as long as I don’t get hit with a frying pan.

You know how “arty farty” professional photographers can get …

This link from Tokyo Girls Update should hold you for awhile.

Starlight: Happy Harrupi Hawkstown Haruka was born on September 19, 1996. Oddly, the same day I bought these stretch pants I am now wearing…

If you want to see more of Kodama-san, please view my Pinterest page for her linked here.

Kimonos on Monday: Wasa-hair on Instagram!

Look it up in an encyclopedia under “What a man most wants to nuzzle.”

Kimonos on Monday: Wasa-hair! I was very pleased to find Iwasa Misaki’s Instagram post. She has shared some nice photos of her kimono. Her site also features a good number of kimono accessories such as shoes and hairpin ornaments. Of course I also love all those pictures of her with her tied hair up in various ways. Click any to begin the slideshow. Any of these would make great computer wallpapers.

https://www.instagram.com/wasaminnn/

I love it when a pretty lady ties her hair up, so that the nape of her neck is exposed. Do women always know how incredibly beautiful they make themselves? Ladies make themselves extremely desirable in subtle ways. The exposed neck is one such example. The neck is not like looking at breasts or other (ahem) zones – but darn it – the neck nape has serious appeal in a unique way. I like how the wisps of  lady hair grow from out of the neck. The hair is like a beautiful flower, growing from a place which is source of all goodness, and then it diverges and matures into to a life-tree of extreme happiness. It looks so soft and EXTREMELY FEMININE. The visual is one phenom, but then there is the added dimensions of texture, aroma and taste of the nape.

I ramble of course …  you girls have no idea how wonderful your bodies truly are — or maybe you do. Perhaps the neck nape is yet another example of female superiority. What? No one told you? I was hoping you wouldn’t find out because I didn’t want you to start acting stuck-up.

Ladies, find a way tonight —  or make some type of excuse — to show the back of your neck to your fellow tonight (say “zip me up”, or “is my necklace crooked”, etc.). Act like you are not even trying to impress … then see what happens.  … and yes, I see that I have digressed from the topic of kimono fashions.

Ahem … indeed Wasamin looks striking in this dark kimono with floral pattern. I will share just a few now, but you will find many more on her Instagram. There are also some stand-alone photos of hair ornament (“Kanzashi”) types as well. Kimono sandals – or “Zori” are also shown. Her site is a treasure trove of beautiful kimonos, accessories and hairstyles!

The Iwasa Misaki Instagram page is linked here. It will be interesting to see what kimono fashion she will add in the coming weeks.

In other Misaki-Kimono news, Wasamin will be bringing her enka-singing show to the Japan Expo in Paris, France on July 7-10, 2016.  I hope she tweets, bookfaces and instagrams a lot of her photos from this event.  She will also be participating in signings at the Expo, thus — one can meet Iwasa Misaki if you are in Paris this week.

Mon dieu — e pas être sorti de l’auberge … I really don’t think I can make it to Gay Paree next month however as I will be stuck down on the hog farm all summer.

Starlight:  … Sorry my mind wandered again.

Yes, you might want to start keeping score, Miss Misaki. I have lost count of how many posts I have made about you.

https://www.instagram.com/wasaminnn/

Kimonos on Monday: I love my, love my, love my JKT48 Calendar girls, yeah, my Jakarta girls …

Starlight: It took over two months for this starlight to reach my world.

Usually I provide the starlight distance at the end of a post, but I feel very embarrassed that it has taken me so long to find the JKT48 in Kimonos Calendar for 2016. These would be great images for your desktop. They were created by a contest last year, where JKT fans got to vote for their favorite “Calendar Girl” (Denny starts humming Neil Sedaka‘s tune already). The 13 women who received the most votes got a month (plus one leap day).

I suggest listening to the song linked here (it will open in a new window, I copied his lyrics in the photo cations). Then just click on the image for the full, WALLPAPER SIZE! Set it as your background each month! The holidays noted on each month are for recognized days in Indonesia. All major religions are noted. I (HEART) you Indonesia, and your religious tolerance*.

Denny singing: Yeah, yeah, my heart’s in a whirl — I love, I love, I love my Monday kimono girls —

January! You start the year off fine!

February! You’re my little valentine!

March! I’m gonna march you down the aisle!

April! You’re the Easter Bunny when you smile!

May! May-be if I ask your dad and mom!

June! They’ll let me take you to the JUNE-ior Prom!

July! … Like a firecracker — all aglow!

August! When you’re on the beach, you steal the show!

September! Light the candles at your Sweet Sixteen!

October! We’re Romeo and Juliet on Halloween!!!

November! I’ll give THANKS that you belong to me

December! You’re the present ‘neath my Christmas tree!!!

Wait! There is one more. 2016 has an extra LEAP day — so why not AN EXTRA KIMONO …  

Oh, you need a wallpaper sized for your MOBILE? No problem. Click on any of the thumbnails and save one for your mobile device.

I love, I love, I love my calendar girls — Yeah, sweet Jakarta kimono girls
I love, I love, I love my Indonesian girls — Each and every day of the year!

———————————————————————————-

(Not Neil Sedaka. )

*Check out marvelous Melody’s month of May. Indonesia recognizes Christianity, Islam and Buddhism.  (….and if you consider Marxism to be a “religion”, then even that!).

The national motto of Indonesia is “Unity in Diversity”. Indonesia is predominantly Muslim of course, but other religions are also represented and tolerated. Protestant denominations are from the Dutch colonial period, Roman Catholics dominate near Timor, Bali is Hindu,  Buddhism and Chinese religions are common in most urban places.  

I know, Iwasa Misaki just announced her graduation …

Darn the luck – my computer monitor went out last week. I had no way to check or compose or read any social media posts all weekend. I needed to obtain information about the Iwasa Misaki solo concert on January 30^th.  What could I do? I was so bored I even watched American TV. My friend Bob will verify that there was very little Wasamin coverage in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. … and they totally missed this great poster:

The cool art poster for the concert.

Turns out … drum roll … Wasamin announced her GRADUATION during this concert!

Well, you would think I would be a big pile of sobbing jelly hearing this news. (Scoffs) I am NOT. I cannot say that I am happy about it, but it was not unexpected. Miss Iwasa has been with AKB48 for a long time, so it does not surprise me that she would make the announcement at her first solo concert. It was her 21st Birthday too.

Misaki-san + Cake = Denny’s Happiness

I thought that she might graduate after that last AKB election. Ahem … Wasamin did not even RANK in the 2015 election. I could not believe that she was shut out of the top 80 members in the 48Family. (cough) … especially when lesser singers (cough cough) were so highly ranked. What an injustice that night was. I must have kicked over every trash can in Akihabara that night (or would have.)

According to various news reports*, Misaki-san will leave to pursue an Enka-singing career. I know she will be great, and it is mainly though her that I have been turned on to the genre.

I think that she would be good in any genre. She can handle any Jpop or rock song out there.  I hope that she finds the right team of songwriters and producers. I wonder if she will continue with Yasushi Akimoto’s songs. Maybe she will dabble in some songwriting herself. Whatever she decides, I will support her.

I am also hoping that there will be a DVD of her solo concert, and that there will be a DVD available for the AKB48 concert in which she graduates. So many in the family have announced graduation, they could all be funneled into one big show. Will Mr. Akimoto compose a special graduation song just for Wasamin? (Maybe.) Will Miss Iwasa finally get to center an AKB48 single? (Ha … NOT likely.)

At this writing, I am still hoping to find more photos and information from the concert Saturday night, and will post them accordingly. Really, any memorabilia would be great. I am willing to dumpster-dive through Tokyo’s recycling if need be.

Fellow bloggers had posted these:

Yes, my feelings on the last election too . Oh, OK … not that one.

I may be feeling a tear myself, Wasamin.

I wish Wasamin the best. (Denny sighs) She can move on to other things now … she will probably be dating soon.

(Ahem) … I hope she finds a nice guy who will support her, and treat her well (… choke….sniffle ). I think that she deserves to have a good man … (choke) … and she will probably get married in a couple of years … (Denny beginning to sob)…

I also think she will make a good mother someday  … (Denny’s tears flowing uncontrollably now) … she will raise a happy home … full of music and laughter … and she will teach her kids to sing songs … there will be a lot of love (um … gulp.) … and happiness in the household … her husband will love her and cherish her … good for you Wasamin (Denny starts to lose it) … I will be happy for you ….

Waaa …. (Denny starts crying like Lucy Ricardo)

Starlight: Can one of you help me up off the floor?

* http://akbzine.com/2016/01/30/iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation/

http://akb48-daily.blogspot.com/2016/01/iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation.html

http://www.jpop-idols.com/en/iwasa-misaki-graduation-akb48/

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/1598742.html

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/01/akb48s-iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation

The Cleveland Plain Dealer? Nothing.

More “Coming of Age” day 2016 photos from the AKB Family.

Miyu Takeuchi on “Coming of Age” day. Maturity looks good on the young singer/pianist!

I was able to snag a few more COA day kimono photos from Tumblr users I follow. Here are a few.

Most of the ladies have Twitter and Instagram accounts, so I will try to find my favorites and organize them over the next few days.

— Denny

Kimonos on Monday: Six months away from Reika Sakurai!

Global warming be damned … again! I am going to continue my “Endless Summer of Kimonos” and share some Summer 2015 photo cards of Reika Sakurai of the Nogizaka46.

Reika Sakurai looks lovely in summer Yukata!

Reika Sakurai (桜井 玲香 Sakurai Reika), was born born May 16, 1994 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. I know what you are thinking: “Denny, what do you and this 21-year old idol have in common?” Well, we both like kimonos, and … uh … let me do some calculations to see if somehow we could be age-appropriate cohorts.  Hmm…

Starlight: August 2015 to January 2016? Six months.

If  I were to travel in outer space at say (Denny thinking a moment) 50% the speed of light, traveling for 6 months away from Earth … then turned around and traveled back to Earth for 6 months, how much time would have passed for Reika remaining on Earth? Would we be the same age?

I aged one year, but she has aged about 30 years. She still has not exactly caught up to me yet, and is slightly younger by a couple-three years.

If we are the same age now, then why can’t she follow my 1970s pop culture references? (Denny smacks head.)

Kimonos on Monday: Dreaming of summer again with Mai Shiraishi of the Nogizaka 46.

Here we are — the dead of winter. Good thing that not everything is dead.

Although it is cold outside, I am going to magically return to June 21st and share this great summer kimono collection. Global Warming be damned.

Who is the dazzling model? This is Japanese singer and model Mai Shiraishi (白石 麻衣). You may know her from the Nogizaka 46. Maiyan was born in Gunma Prefecture, Japan on August 28, 1992. What a co-inky-dink … that was the same day I earned my Ph.D.!!! Such a memorable day that was.

Please enjoy the slide show and dream of happier times in summer.

It is about time that I posted these photos, I have been hanging on to them since summer. I had them posted on my Nogi46 board on Pinterest. They have been popular there, as I see that they have been posted and re-posted many, many times.

Slightly off topic about Pinterest: I have many boards for my interests in Japanese culture. I used to write funny captions (at least I thought they were) for some of my AKB48 pins. It is funny to see many of my pins were re-pinned several times. My original captions are usually with them, as most Pinners do not edit the information. It is good to see that jokes that I made travel around the Internet and even come back to me on the boards which I subscribe to! I am uncredited, but I don’t mind. I just like that the mind of Denny is still zipping around cyberspace.

Starlight: Who knew in ’92 that Planet Deadwood would collide with me in 2016?

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: I could not have a more wonderful daughter than Sakura-tan.

I think that Sakura Miyawaki is the “bestest” daughter than anyone could ever wish for.

This charismatic young Idol has grown to be a multi-talented young lady. Sometimes when she is on stage and does a typical Sakura-pose with a goofy face, I have to wonder if she is really TRYING to be that cute, or is that just the way she is.

Sakura-tan is cute AND wholesome.  I do get a little protective of her sometimes. I know she is popular with all the boys in high school. These magazine covers and photo shoots she does – well, it can make a Dad worry.

Sakura has a good head on her shoulders, though. She apparently can handle the sudden rise to fame. I taught the little lady how to use a firearm … just in case.

I hope you enjoyed this Sakura-Slide-Show.  What is your favorite Sakura moment?

Reality Check: Actually, Sakura’s parents were against her becoming an idol at first. They must have been so worried for her. It was Sakura’s GRANDMOTHER Emiko who encouraged her.

Please see this link for some great English-subbed Sakura history. The images video of her acting in school plays as a little girl are precious and priceless!

http://ukn48.com/ukn48-150603-miyawaki-sakura-musume-wa-idol/

Starlight: My heart is as warm as a thousand Suns after watching that.

See more Miyawaki-san on my Pinterest board for her linked here.