A Tale of Two Obis

As all kimono enthusiasts know, one needs quite a few accoutrements if one intends to wear a kimono without inviting ridicule from the local obaasan (not really, but you know). And being a kimono enthusiast myself, I knew that I needed an obi. Thusly, I set out to find the perfect obi for my sapphire blue (see 1^st post), intending to wear it for my birthday in the fall. After much researching and searching, I finally decided on the perfect obi!

It was an elegant fukuro done up in white tsubaki with touches of pink on a silver backdrop of karabana filled waves. I thought it would look good against the sapphire blue while the overall design matched well with the peacocks. At least, that’s what I thought.

For the most part it was the same elegant obi except for one tiny little detail – the color. Why I didn’t see it before…curse you flash photography! Perhaps because I wanted silver, I saw silver. What I got was shimmery pink, a lot more pink than I was expecting. I knew there would be pink in the flowers, I was okay with that. I did not think there would be pink in the background wave design. 

 In person, the obi now seemed too young and vibrant, and although quite beautiful, I didn’t think it would work for the peacocks.

 It didn’t take me long to find another obi, and just in time for my birthday. This one was an older fukuro and had an all overall pattern of golden seigaiha with little blue, pink, green, and gold folded kiku. The design reminded me of feathers and the kiku resembled peacock tails. It was perfect and when it arrived -- still perfect. The gold matched so much better than the silver ever would. 

The moral of the story? Never assume something is the way you want it to be, always double check, especially when purchasing Japanese silk.

<3 M.M

The "Accidentally Won" Kimono

Once my addiction set in, I naturally began spending all my time looking for, and longing for, kimono and anything kimono related. This was not helped by the fact that my job entails sitting for hours at a computer.

One summer day as I was perusing Ebay, looking at all the kimono that fantastic site had to offer, I came across a simple and elegant bamboo green kimono. The bidding was set to end later that day and the price was already around $20. I watched this one for awhile…well, the rest of my shift anyway.

She was older, probably sewn right after WWII, and she must have led a busy life. On the outside she looked perfect, not a single flaw in the pictures anyways. But she was hiding all her baggage on the inside – her lining was completely stained. No big deal I said to myself, no one sees the lining anyhow, and maybe later it could be replaced.  The more I watched her, the more I wanted her. Her fabric was a damask silk with whimsical spools of thread, flowers, and clouds. And on her back was the cutest little crest I had seen yet, a tiny bell flower.  

Alas, we had not much money at the time. Summers were, still are, rough on us financially, but if it didn’t go too high we could definitely make it work in our budget. It was nearly time for me to go home and the auction still had two more hours. I had made up my mind. I placed a $50 bid, if I didn’t get it, (which I probably wasn’t going to anyway as it still had those 2hrs to go), at least I could make someone else pay more for it…shallow, I know.

The next day I arrived to work and checked my email as always. I was very shocked – no, not shocked, terrified – to see a message from Ebay. “Congratulations on Winning!” Oh happy day? I really wanted it, right? Well yeah, but at what price?! The winning bid, my winning bid, was $47. I accidentally won it. That was it. It’s crazy that I won it, there were 2 hours left. This seller’s stuff always goes really high.  

The only thing I could do now was pay for the old girl and graciously accept her into my home. Which I did, and I’m very glad that I did. For all I know I saved this pretty lady from being scrapped and turned into a throw pillow. 

<3 M.M.

Tea Time

Tea, I say, is a wonderful brew.

Oh the good it can do for you.

Cool you when it’s hot, or warm you when it’s cold,

Awaken, relax, and even soothe.

People of all ages, from young to old

I say to you, tea is a wonderful brew.

                                                                       image source

Red, green, white, and black, from spiced chai to earthy jasmine, oolong and Darjeeling, ask anyone, I love tea. I understand why the Japanese have a whole ceremony revolving around tea, and why there are different schools of Tea Ceremony. There is something almost magical in a cup of tea, how the leaves infuse in the hot water to create a delicious and aromatic potion. Teas and herbal infusions have been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments and recently scientists have discovered tea to be good antioxidant (true tea, any variety of Camellia sinensis). Even the British delight in "Afternoon Tea."On a cold day, there is nothing better than brewing a pot of my favourite tea and curling up with a good book. I am so passionate about tea that I set aside two shelves in my pantry for my many different types of teas and herbal infusions. I also make a point to educate my friends, and strangers I meet in cafes, about the proper technique of brewing tea. I may not know Chado (yet) but I do know how to make a good cup of tea. I’m going to go heat up some water now…wonder which tea I’ll choose today, they’re all so good!

<3 M.M

My First...

She was gorgeous, absolutely stunning, there could be no doubt about that. She flirted with me, toyed with me, but they all had really, but I wanted -- no needed! -- her and only her. What made this beauty different..special? She was the proper height, sure, but a little small in the waist...I could make it work, right? After all, she was the most brilliant sapphire blue I had seen. 

And those peacocks..oh those jeweled yuzen peacocks beckoned to me with their coy little beaks. After weeks of debating -- and pleading with my husband, that though the price was a little steep, I felt she was worth it -- I decided to make her mine.  The excitement I felt coursed through my veins like ecstasy. I had acquired my first kimono.

Seven to ten days later she arrived at my doorstep. I carefully unwrapped her, inspecting as I went, and then finding everything as I expected, I slipped her around my shoulders, a ceremony I would perform with all of them, and let her soft, cool, buttery silk caress my skin. I was in heaven. I had no idea silk could feel this good. Needless to say, I was hooked, and the look on my husband's face said it perfectly: "What have I done?!"


<3 M.M