"Kodama Shicen Studio" introduces the attraction of the Kyoto traditional craft, Nishijin (Tsuzure Weaving) Obi.

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You might think that you want to wear kimono, but you have no chance to wear.
And you might be not familiar with kimono, and know few things about kimono and obi.
Check out this page to enjoy kimono.
This page is for you to get basic information about kimono.

1. Tell me about types of kimono and obi.
Kimono and obi can be divided into two major types, "some (dyed)" and "ori (woven)".

The representative of "some" kimono is "kurotomesode" which is very formal blcak kimono for ceremonial occasions. Ori kimono is casual kimono with rough texture.
For kimono, "some" is more formal than "ori" , and for obi, "ori" is more formal than "some".

2. What kind of "some" kimono and obi do you have in Japan?
Another name "some" is known by is "ato zome". It is painted and dyed after weaving.

Major "some" as follows;
[Tegaki yuzen]
There are three major yuzen; kyo yuzen, kaga yuzen, and edo yuzen.
Kyo yuzen features fascinating colors like gold and red, and embroideries.
Kaga yuzen is painted using bokashi technique, and fitures natural colors.
Cold and quiet colors, and simple patterns are usually used for Edo yuzen.
[Bokashi zome]
[Makinori]
[Kata zome]
[Shibori zome]
[Kinsai, Haku, Raden, and Sisyu can also be called "ato zome".]

3. What is ori kimono?
Another name "ori" is known by is "saki zome". It is woven after dyeing threads.
There are many kinds of "ori" because they are made throughout Japan.

Major "ori" as follow;
[Silk]
[Tsumugi]
[Momen]
[Dietary fiber]

In all of the ori kimonos, it takes a lot of time and energy to make tsumugi kimono since about 30 procedures are required to make tsumugi kimono.

4. Tell me about formal "ori" obi.
Nishiki ori…Gorgeous weaving for mainly furisode.
Saganishiki…Weaving which is used gold and silver for warp threads, and color threads for weft threads.
Kara ori…Great depth weaving for "nou syouzoku", uchikake, and maru obi. Look like embroidery at first glance.
Tsuzure ori…Above all, tsumekaki hon tsuzure is the most luxurious weaving.

5. Are there many kinds of obi?
There are "ori" obi, "some" obi, and "shisyuu" obi.
Moreover, they are categorized by tailoring as maru obi, nagoya obi, fukuro nagoya obi, hanhaba obi, hoso obi,otoko obi, and so on.
Ori maru obi and fukuro obi are formal.
Nagoya obi and fukuro nagoya obi are often used as everyday wear.
You should wear different type of obi depending on types of kimono and occasions.

6. Tell me about appropriate kimonos for each occasion.
[Tomesode]: (Kurotomesode) A black kimono which is the most formal kimono for married women. It usually has five kamon printed on the sleeves, chest and back of the kimono.
(Irotomesode) It is a formal kimono worn by any woman regardless of the marital status.
[Furisode]: It is the most formal kimono for unmarried women.
[Houmongi]: It features eba pattern. With mon, it will be semi formal kimono.
[Tsukesage]: It is less formal than Houmongi, and more formal than Komon.
[Iromuji]: With mon, iromuji will be semi formal kimono for marriage or funeral.
[Komon]: It may be worn around town, or for a small party.
[Yukata]

7.Are there any rules of kimono in a wedding party?
Formal kimonos for ceremonial occasions have five mons.
Some five-mon tomesode and iro tomesode with gorgeous susomoyou is the most formal kimono for Mrs.
And you should choose formal white for obijime and obiage, and wear gorgeous zouri with high sole.
For Ms., furisode is the most formal kimono.
Formal obis are ori maru obi and fukuroobi with gold and silver threads.

There are many kinds of patterns (moyou) for obi.
What kinds of obis should I wear to a wedding?
[Kissyou moyou]:Patterns for happy occasions.
(Crane・Syou-chiku-bai (pine, bamboo, and plum)・Takara-zukushi (treasure)・Chinese phoenix)

[Shosoin moyou]:Ptterns of the Shosoin treasures include dyeing items, mirrors, furniture and fixtures.

(Geometric design・plants or animals like "budou karakusa")
[Yuusoku moyou]:Ptterns which was painted on artistically crafted items loved by high priests in Nara period,Heian period, Kamakura period, and Muromachi period.

(Shippou mon・Kikkou mon・Tatewaki mon・Hishi mon・Tasuki mon)
[Tenzyou ebumi]:Patterns which was painted on the goutenzyou and the byoubue of temples and good families.

[Emaki moyou]:Patterns of scenery and animals in Japanese picture scrolls.

9.Are there many kinds of knots (musubi)?
They are mainly categorized into Otaiko musubi and Kawari musubi.
Currently, Otaiko musubi is popular.
Kawari musubi is gorgeous and cute. There are many kinds of Kawari musubis for yukata and furisode. And you can enjoy arranging them easily.

"Kodama Shicen Studio" introduces the attraction of the Kyoto traditional craft, Nishijin (Tsuzure Weaving) Obi.
Nishijin, Kyoto, Kodama Shicen Studio (NISHIJIN TEXTILE INDUSTRIUL ASSOCIATION No. 2327)
24-33, Toriimaemachi, Hirano, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8321, JAPAN
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