Local festivals are the best!
Which is why I was once again at Some No Komichi this year, celebrating the art of traditionally dyed fabric. (2013 post here.) This year I was scheduled to help out in the mornings so I invited my friend M to come out in the afternoon.
As this event showcases traditional kimono fabric, many people come wearing their own kimonos. Walking around Nakai during this event, you can almost imagine hat the old streets of Japan were like. I love it.
But for people who don’t have their own to wear, the vintage kimono and goods shop Gallery Sakura provided rentals for anyone who wanted to spend a day in a kimono. They also provided experts to help you wear the kimono (because it’s pretty hard putting it on your own). Isn’t that great?
M and I decided that we wanted in on this kimono day, so we made reservations. There were so many different patterns and colors of kimono that it took a while to choose!
I decided to go with a hakama, which I haven’t worn since my university graduation. It’s half kimono but with a skirt-like wrap around your waist. It basically means you can run while wearing it (which is almost impossible in a regular kimono). M chose a beautiful vintage kimono.
We had a great time walking along the River Gallery and doing a little shopping around the Street Gallery. And with so many people with cameras ready to take a photo of the event, we had no problem finding people to take photos of us. Most of them knew how to use my camera better than I ever could. Ha.
Despite the last day of rain, an estimate of over 12,000 people came to see Some No Komichi this year. It’s so exciting to watch this event grow each year and I’ve loved getting to know the local businesses and discovering new shops through this event. I’m already thinking about what kind of kimono I want to wear next year!
Have you been to Some No Komichi? Would you wear a kimono?
Kaori Square Feet 
what an intersting event ! Your photos are beautiful ! Of course i'd like to wear a kimono one day , who knows 😉
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One thing I really like about kimono is how the contrasting colors are so fitting.
If I were to go to the Some no Komichi in Nakai I would be tempted to let my beard grow and go like this (no matter what I did I might not fit in any better than that).
This is as close as I could get on Yamate Street via Google Maps to where you took those three really high shots. It looks like you went a bit out of your way to take those shots. I am sure we are all grateful that you did.
I like how The House of Poppo Nursery School involved their kids in the dying, just as one example of the dyed cloth strips over the river. Oh, and that gorgeous black & white noren curtain
If I had any sense I would use one of the photographs of you and M as wallpaper for my monitor. That way every time I sat at my computer my whole house would beam radiantly reflecting your smiles.
What a treat this post has been. Thank you.
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I bet you'd like wearing a kimono! 😀
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You know, I had no idea that there were different traditional patterns for certain time periods regarding kimono. But it was a lot of fun to see all types of vintage kimono in one place! There were some men wearing kimono, too. Although I did not see one with a beard (except for the man who started this whole event, I think he had a pretty rad beard).
I'm glad you liked this post. It's one of my favorite events and I love that it involves people of all ages to participate and to view a part of the kimono culture! 😀
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Gawgeous! I mean you two, not the festival. Well, OK, the festival too, but mainly you two. I didn't have a chance to go again this year, but it was lekker to visit virtually via your post! ^^
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The Wiki article on Kimono is tantalizing. We can see hints of how deep and extensive is the history and styles. As for books, this gets good reviews, even at the Amazon in the States. There is some English but the book is mostly in Japanese. That isn’t so much of a problem because the detailed photos are gorgeous and informative of themselves.
The bearded guy in my link is Ainu. I thought that considering my nose and complexion it might be suitable for me. I kind of like Ainu patterns as well. You got me thinking about styles of Japanese kimono I could wear but for me, a non Japanese, everything seemed a bit off for me. Too pretentious on my part.
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I was thinking about this more and decided that a simple samue would do. Or better yet, a fireman’s jacket like from the Edo period.
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