Tea Journey

A little "performance" art

The Demon who stole my face. 2006

   About 5 years ago as part of a first year project I created a kimono ensemble which reflected my deep interest in the Japanese spiritual world. Now I have been blessed with a job that gives me enough income to purchase a few pieces (more than a few actually).
    Fan Con is coming up and I am going in kimono. The one I decided to wear will be this beautiful wool blend hand made piece. The ensemble hopefully will come together this week as Saturday creeps closer. I have been praying that my new zori get here before then so that I can  wear them out.
         I just got my hair cut this weekend and my wig is not on hand. So I am not entirely sure what kind of character I will come up with or if I will change my kimono entirely for a different look.
   Bellow I have included a few pieces I am hoping to work with. Not all together but just pieces that made me think ” I should wear that to the Con!”.  Anyhow back to the sketch book to think some more. Id love to hear what you think!

Kimono

As part of my Chanoyu education I have been practising the art of putting on kimono (kitsuke).  Kimono today was the end result of the kosode from the Kamakura period. It started as an undergarment and evolved to its current form since then.
  The main part I find that helps me in Chanoyu is the obi. It keeps my back straight and prevents me from slouching over. There are many different ways to tie the obi. Some are meant for a particular age group or time in ones life.  For these images I am wearing a Michiyuki, a “rain coat”. I decided to wear it as it was a bit chilly out, it did the trick.
      For kimono it is traditional to wear tabi socks which have a split toe to wear sandals. In the second image I am wearing 2.5 inch approx. high geta, they are a bit hard to walk in.
       I really enjoy wearing kimono and hope to share my kitsuke with you all here on Tea Journey and over at Split/Gender (My Art blog). Keep an eye out for random posts with kitsuke snapshots and a little history about kimono.

Blog revamp- in progress

   I recently re-calibrated my monitor to assist me with viewing images properly for in Photoshop. Since then I have been planning out a new layout style for Tea Journey. This may be ongoing till summer or right into as I try things out.  So in advance I apologize for anything that may (hopefully not) be offensive in any way.
    On a side note the Toronto Kimono Club is going to High Park April 22nd so please look forward to images from this outing! Surprise review to come~

**Update**: was a bit too cold out for me to attend the Hanami meet with the Toronto Kimono Club. I do have a few images of my ensemble I was going to wear instead.

small kimono challenge- On going project for spring/summer

Mamechiyo Alice ensemble

1. How did I hear about kimonos& first kitsuke toughts and stuff
2. My dearest kimono item(s)
3. My most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.)
4. My least used kimono item(s)
5. My favourite coordination(s) so far
6. What things I like and what not in kimonos(&why)
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that… 
8. The massive want-to-buy-list(or in this situation what-I-would-like-to-buy-but-don’t-have-enought-money-or-any-occassion-to-wear-it-list)
9. My biggest fears&wishes what comes to kimonos
10. My biggest inspirations in kimonos 
11. My kimono collection
12. The evolution of my kitsuke
Maybe the biggest challenge will be that I need to put atleast one pic or video in every post…!
From: kirakirakimono

    I am hoping to go through all of these questions over the next while. Kimono is an important part for Chanoyu so instead of posting this to my art blogger I am posting it here. Please look forward to how this progresses. Prosperitea set review is in the works~

Haru Matsuri 2012 @ JCCC


This past Saturday I went to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. I was invited by my chanoyu Sensei to see a temae that I have not done yet, demonstrated by the Toronto Urasenke group.
       Since I have not reached this Temae yet it was a nice glimpse at what will come. I tried my best to take note of anything that may be different between a woman and a man being the host.
    My Sensei for the course of the demonstration at the event described what was happening to all the viewers as two women students had tea.
     It was nice to see a tatami room being used for tea, as well as being a witness to the tea ceremony rather than as a student or guest, assuming almost a “god” like presence in which the audience did not exist.
      After everything I thought it was time to try out kimono dressing that was done by the Toronto Kimono Club (of which I am now a member of). It was great to talk to other that understood all the information out there about kimono. Back in Undergrad, I spent many hours studying and looking at Kimono online. I did not have money at the time for such luxuries but I did make my own kimono (which still needs a little work) for a performance piece in first year.
     After much thought I have finally ordered my first Yukata which I can wear this summer and to The Tea Guild of Canada BBQ~ I can’t wait!