Crystal Kimono details

Left over right, unless you're lying in your coffin. Some ghosts (in plays, pictures, etc) have their garment right over left.

a married woman's knot as well. An unmarried woman's kimono sleeves are rounded, reach nearly to the floor; and her obi is tied completely differently. <

Only on formal, party-wear. "Everyday" kimono have short sleeves, and simple obi knots, no matter what the marital status. Occasionally, "matrons" have somewhat fancier obi, but never as flamboyant as those of young girls.

You might want to add an obi cord to your project-- it would just be a string of seed beads; it goes through the bow, and helps keep it in place, and ties in the front in a "wisteria knot". This is sorta like a surgeons' knot, except there are a few more twists to it on steps. An under obi (maybe a wide silk ribbon?) would also add to the authenticity, and lend further stabilization to the obi bow. Like the cord, the under obi goes through the "bow", but after tying in front, is tucked down behind the obi so only the edge shows above the top of the obi (for married women-- unmarried women can show more of the under obi, and tuck it into the kimono overlap).

and cannot figure out a good way to do so.

Kathy -- how big is it? I can't get a sense of the size.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 20:45:46 -0500, BeckiBead wrote (in message ):

About 14" tall by a foot wide. Pretty darned big. That's the biggest bracelet T bar that Fetpak makes.

Kathy N-V

OK, then. I have some vintage glass flowers that are the right size for your kimono, but i am thinking that creating the floral decor out of seed beads will look more accurate, size-wise. Kaytee -- what do you think?

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

You are ON TO SOMETHING, something very cool!!! Go, Kathy!

PS watch your box later this week. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

and if its tied in front, she's a sex worker. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

Some of the vintage would probably work-- not the "bell" ones, though. There are modern pressed glass "flat flowers" (that also can be used as spacers), in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. These can be appliqued on top of the crystal fabric-- using a seed bead to tack them down. There is one-- about 8mm?, that is "cherry blossom" shaped.

The Bali "daisy" spacers are similar, but most would probably be too small. Kaytee "Simplexities" on

Kathy -- well, there you have it. Let me know if you want my vintage ones for your kimono - they are yours for the asking (not for anyone else, however, so don't go there, LOL). I don't think they look very Japanese, which is why I am thinking it might be better to do a seed bead decoration. However, you are welcome to try them.

Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows

Ummm.... not white (it's just "not done", as far as I can tell). Or black (funerals). Just about any other color, though.

In the Japanese books, there are instructions for making these with seed beads and wire. "Geta" are summer shoes, worn with yukata-- they're the ones on stilts. "Zori" are the ones worn with kimono. Make them red (no, you don't have to)... and a red obi cord... red flowers on the kimono.... Or all in gold, to match your trim.

Kaytee "Simplexities" on

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 15:26:05 -0500, Kaytee wrote (in message ):

Yellow or red then. I think that the yellow would look lovely, and I have a cinnebar fan bead to hang off the other side of the obi.

Yep, sounds wonderful.

Kathy N-V

Isn't white the color representing death in Japan?

Tina

Kathy

It is in China, and thus also in Japan. However, Japan made a conscious effort to "modernize" in the mid-to-late 1800's, and that meant adpting/adapting Western ways. Kimono, etc., for funerals are all black (except the "underwear", which is white). Men may also wear all black at other times, but women don't. One of those "just not done" things, again, although in this case, the funeral connection makes it "icky" as well.

When I say "all black" for funerals-- that means the kimono (formal type, design on bottom edge only, plus "mon" on sleeves, back and chest) is black with any design black or almost black and/or jaquard weave, black obi tied with a simple bow (drum style, usually-- like Kathy's), black obi cord, black under obi, black shoes and purse; no jewelry, preferably no make-up. Kaytee "Simplexities" on

But they avoid all white also because of the funeral don't they?

Tina

"Kaytee" wrote ...........Kimono, etc., for funerals are all black (except the "underwear",

No. All white clothing is for weddings, mostly. Funeral flowers generally have to be all white, but all white flower arrangements are seen at other times, too.

A Shinto wedding outfit is all white for the bride at one point of the ceremony. (Kimono, obi, shoes, "hat") It doesn't signify "purity" as it does in the West, however. It indicates the bride's promise to be like paper-- for the groom (dressed in black= ink) to write on. In other words, from then on, she will do things the way he's used to having them done.

By the way-- the original meaning of a white wedding dress in Europe was that the bride had no dowry.... Kaytee "Simplexities" on