Kimono | Living Tokyo

02/23/2011
02/25/2021

Experience Japanese Culture – Tea Ceremony, Kimono, Making Sushi

Though?many explanations are made in foreign languages, it is difficult to actually experience Japanese culture.? However, there is a NPO which helps you do so.? This NPO, Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience, holds various programs for foreigners, where you can expereince the traditon of Japan, with a multilingual Japanese instructor.? There are guides in several languages, such as English, Chinese, and French. One popular?program is Kimono dressing. In this program, you can actually wear Kimono.? If weather permits, participants may walk in a nearby park to fully experience life wearing a Kimono. Before wearing Kimono, participants would?explore many aspects of the Kimono,?for example,?the traditional skills of ?Japanese dyeing and weaving. Participants will also understand the versatility and specific features of the Kimono. Even if one’s shape changes (or a Kimono is given to another person), the same Kimono can be worn with just some minor adjustments. Another?program is making Sushi. In this program, participants will learn to make various types of Sushi: Maki Sushi (rolled Sushi), Gunkan Maki (rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed and topped with?ingredients), and Nigiri Sushi (rice topped with a slice of raw fish).? This program will be held at the participant’s home, […]

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02/16/2011
02/25/2021

Shopping Antique / Used Kimono

Kimono is very expensive to buy.? Some are very cheap, but those are inferior in quality…But there is a way to purchase high-quality Kimono at a relatively low price: visiting an used Kimono shop. Of course, these Kimono are not brand new, some of them have stain, but there are many chances to encounter Kimono from the 20th, 19th century, or from an even older period.? Just taking a look at the old Kimono with traditional patterns and retro coloring is exciting! Below are a list some of the used Kimono shops in Tokyo. Jidainuno Ikeda (???篁ｅ?????羆????) Location: 5-22-11, Shiroganedai, Minato-ku Website: http://www.ikedashigeko-collection.co.jp/pages/english/collection/c_index.htm (Eng) Yumezo (紊∵??) Location: 1-17-2, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku Tansuya (?????????絮?) Location: 10-11-3, Roppongi, Minato-ku Antique Mall Ginza (??≪?潟????ｃ?若???≪?若????綺?) Location: 1-13-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku Website: http://www.antiques-jp.com/e.html (Eng) Used Kimono are sold at some antique flea markets too. I hope you will find your favorite only-one Kimono! — Higherground Co.,Ltd. 2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL:03-6459-2230 HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/ TOP PAGE:?https://livingtokyo.net/

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07/10/2010
02/28/2021

Fireworks in Tokyo

Summer is the season of firework displays in Japan. There are many fireworks in July and August. Below is the list of some of the most popular fireworks in Tokyo. Sumida-gawa Fireworks Area: Sumida-gawa River, Taito-ku / Sumida-ku Date: Jul. 31 Time: 19:05- About 20,000 rockets Edo-gawa Fireworks Area: Edo-gawa River, Edogawa-ku Date: Aug. 7 Time: 19:15- About 14,000 rockets Jingu-Gaien Fireworks Area: Meiji-Jingu, Minato-ku Date: Aug. 19 Time: 19:30- About 12,000 rockets Tokyo Bay Fireworks Area: Harumi, Chuo-ku Date: Aug. 14 Time: 19:00- About 12,000 rockets Adachi Fireworks Area: Ara-kawa River, Adachi-ku Date: Jul. 29 Time: 19:30- About 12,000 rockets If you are going to the fireworks, why not try wearing ‘Yukata'(羌頑。)? Yukata is the casual Kimono (Japanese traditionlal clothing),? worn only in mid summer. Formal Kimono is made of silk and has lining, but Yukata is made of cotton, and does not have lining. People wearing Yukata are often seen at fireworks and summer festivals. Yukata for women(left) and men(right). You can buy Yukata at major sightseeing spots, like Asakusa. Clerks may be able to teach you how to wear it, or if you are not comfortable with wearing it yourself, most beauty parlors are capable of dressing […]