Joining in with the KIMONO CHALLENGE!

Okay, I can't help it - I want in! I've resisted long enough, and now I want to throw down alongside everyone else - it looks like too much fun to remain on the sidelines so, here we go:
KIMONO CHALLENGE QUESTIONS

1. How did you discover and get into kimono?
2. Your dearest kimono items.
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don’t like about kimono.
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that…
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can’t get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears.
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration.
11. Your kimono collection.
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory.

*Posts coming soon. :)

Samurai SHOWDOWN at St. Joseph's (and a Kimono demonstration, too.)

Yesterday was the 2nd Annual Kimono demonstration at St. Joseph's for my friend's High-school honors History class! They were actually a great bunch of students this year, too! It was both a pleasure and honor, and I look forward to continuing to present there as long as I can.

As I was wearing my only Men's ensemble for an Iaido demonstration, the guys had to dress in Women's kimono - BUT they looked FABULOUS!

Here's the pre-demo set up:



Uchikake and Susohiki on display.



Reading up on Iaido before the demonstration. It had been awhile since I had practiced.

My favorite Shishi juban.

Obi and Kimono and Okobo, oh my!

Fully dressed dress-form ready to be deconstructed!

The attentive audience:

Info being handed out.

Perusing the Kimono info.

Brian doing his thang.

Doing my thang.

The students experiencing Kimono for the first time:

Our resident Geiko-san!

The two Samurai!

Three lovely Ladies and a Male model in Iromuji.

What a Good looking group!

The Iaido Demonstration begins:

Resident Iaidoka.

Unsheath/Sideways cut.

Finishing stroke.

Chiburi

Resheath.

Explaining the "Samurai-sitting style"


They decide to give it a try:

The Chopstick challenge begins:
(They were divided into two groups and had to pick up marbles with their chopsticks.) It was like watching a Geisha game at an Ozashiki! I thoroughly enjoyed watching everyone. They did better than I would have! I told them they get extra points in Kimono! ;)

Archery Demo/Practice!

Archery on "Horseback."

Note the Horse on the 'wheels'.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and I look forward to going back to do a Demo for the Japanese club this Thursday! :)