Ume to Sakura :鳳凰

New Year Kimono

2011-01-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

I know the new year has came and went in the U.S., but Feb. 3rd is chinese new year according to lunar calendar. This kimono's design was specifically for the new year! Beautiful Kiku and the bright/bold colors of red, black and white. I'm glad there are new kimono shops popping up all the time!! This kimono and Haori are so gorgeous! Best Wishes to everyone! Enjoy the pics and Happy New Year!!

Kimono: tomoto

Kanzashi: Hana Katsuraya

Snowing and there's kimono's

2011-01-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

It's cold outside, snow on the ground, and pretty kimono's for the season. Winter kimono's come in several colors. These colors are usually dark and warm, such as red, purple, black, and deep blues. Often they are topped by a fur collar. In January many young girls have their coming of age celebration at the age of 20. Either way, kimono's are vastly beautiful and bright for us to enjoy in this wintery season.

I hope you enjoy the wonderfully colored winter kimono!!

Kimono: Geisha Dreams

Fur: Umi Usagi

Surreal Autumn

2010-12-14T16:19:00.001-08:00

Yes, Yes, I know it's the middle of December but really I have to post this one dress up and show you the nice background. I was delayed posting a blog, so this is late, but very nice. This kimono has a great shade of color for the fall. A simple leaf pattern with no kazanshi, just a simple hairstyle. I don't have the landmark for the kimono, so this blog is simple pics to enjoy.

^^

Golden Kiku Kimono

2010-11-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Nice Autumn days. The colors are always so warm and inviting. Yellows, reds, orange, and even some blues make the season very comforting. The fall brings halloween and thanksgiving holidays as well as some very colorful kimonos. In Japan, the Yahiko Kiku Festival (Chrysanthemum festival) happens from November 1 to the 24.

The kimono you see here has many kiku and I got last year at Geisha Dreams; my favorite kimono place. It's so brightly colored and I know I wore this obi with the last kimono I blogged, but this obi truly belongs with this kimono by the creator. Wasn't the oni kimono kawaii!

This kimono stands out with color alone, only topped by the amazing kanzashi's that Hana Katsuraya makes. These are the Autumn rainbows make by HK and still available at her shop. See warmth of colors now towards the end of fall in this very nice ensemble.

Kimono (appears to be no longer available) ~ Geisha Dreams
Kanzashi (still available) ~ Hana Katsuraya

Oni in Maples

2010-11-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

I was just browsing through my inventory, when I found this item. It was a kimono I got last year and never wore it because the obi didn't come with it. Well, I found an obi that semi-goes with it, but the pattern is just too cute for fall to keep it to myself. How cute is the blue Oni at the bottom of the kimono. Cute Right?

This kimono was from Geisha Dreams. I believe it's no longer available, I just wanted to share it with you. The hair is from Tukinowaguma "Keiko" in Ebony. I just love the way the hair is wrapped in the back, plus you can change it's colors! This hairstyle you can get now. The Kanzashi are from Hana Katsuraya of course.

Enjoy!

Ghost Hakama

2010-10-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

So, last year, my fiancee and I found these great kimono's. Ghost Hakama for Halloween. We bought scary skin and went to scary places and took pictures. Here are a few pictures from us last year for you to enjoy.

Now, I took some recent pics with the Ghost Hakama and my goulish skin. This is the cemetery at Hosoi Ichiba. A nice place to take pics. My hair is by RQ. Nothing really traditional today. Just Halloween fun!!

Enjoy the pics!

Ghost Hakama - || Trap || M/F versions

Hair - RQ

Tea Hunt Kimonos

2010-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Don't you love Hunts? The Tea Hunt has been talked about by various bloggers, so I won't go into details, but this hunt does have two lovely kimonos in it. Everything is 1L, so it's not free, but pretty close. The hunt has very nice things besides the kimonos, but I want to focus on those here.

The first kimono is very lovely and has such a warm autumn touch to it. The shawl or muffler; is also a prize from the hunt as well as the parasol. I have the picture with the muffler and one without on the second pic. There is also the skin, hair, shape, and shoes that I am wearing. The parasol comes with animations and a zhao! An entire avatar can be found here! The next kimono is sweet, I love the tabi socks, red and white! kawaii! Little things make us happy. So, join the hunt, it's all in one place and the gifts are really not that hard to find.

Good Luck!

Tea Hunt Location

Autumn kimono

2010-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

The chill in the air and the cold winds bring along a wondrous change. Bright colors of the sunset befall the green leaves of summer and a burst of color covers the land. Fall, such a nice season. Fall colors of kimonos are the same as the colors of Autumn. Reds, oranges, browns, and fall patterns are all very pretty in the colder months. Momiji or Turning leaves motifs and patterns are best. Kiku or Chrysanthemums and Tachibana are motifs for kanzashi's and kimono's. ^.^

This kimono is very beautiful. It's from Milky called Mai Sansafa. The fall colors really jump out of this kimono. It is very graceful by the seaside at dusk. What do you think??

kimono~ Milkyhouse

Goodbye, yukatas.

2010-10-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

So this is the last Yukata I will wear this season. It's probably already out of season now, but I wanted to show you this one last yukata. Isn't it lovely. I'm very fond of purple and this one was just to great to pass up.

This is a yukata from Umi Usagi. This store has lots of great clothes, if you love "doll" clothes, you'll find so much here! I love the kimono section myself. Lots of nice kimonos to choose from and very detailed. Just look at this yukata. Purple and pink roses, lots of lace, a pretty black and white obi with pink pearls, and it comes with geta! Cool, huh? I love the lace going down the split. So, detailed and pretty.

Hope you like it!

Kimono- Umi Usagi - "Purple II Yukata 2010"

Late Summer Kimono

2010-09-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I haven't been on in a while. As you know, sometimes life just gets in the way. Since it's almost the end of summer, I thought I would show you a late summer kimono made by Geisha Dreams. It's like walking through a garden! They have just renovated their main store and there are so many new kimonos to choose from. I hope you all have enjoyed your summer and look forward to next season, which is one of my favorites!

Hair and kanzashi are both from Hana Katsuraya.

Visit Geisha Dreams and Katsuraya soon!

~Kimiaya

Geisha Dreams

Hana Katsuraya

Can kimono's be sexy? Yes they can!

2010-06-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Kimono's are often just thought of as the official attire of Japanese. Did you know that kimono's can be very sexy as well? Usually my avatar wears original kimono's or geisha-like kimono's called hikizuri, there are, however, very sexy kimono's that Oiran's wear.

These kimono's differ in that the obi is tied in the front and the collar's are worn much wider. Also, Oiran's do not wear tabii or socks, showing their skin from toes to knees. Oiran's are escorts or courtesans in Japan, they differ from Geisha's who are known mostly as performers/entertainers. Oiran's are rare in our time, but years ago in Japan there were many brothel's and Oiran's were the ones highly priced and paid for their services.

This kimono is an Oiran kimono from Bare Rose. It's pretty, sensual, and looks great on any avatar. The hair is again from Sadhistic Hacker. Aoi is wearing a nice kimono from so what? He also has Tattoes from +NR+. Don't we look like a couple from ancient Japan?

Try these from the following stores: ^^

BareRose

Sadhistic Hacker

+NR+

Colors of Summer

2010-06-22T16:02:00.001-07:00

I was looking for new kimono's when I found myself at Ancient Tree Kimono shop. They have so many pretty kimono's! Summer is here and Ancient has many seasonal kimono's to choose from. I found a new kimono design she came out with is from Zashiki gi. The one I chose to wear to show you is the Natsu Heichi. It has nice summer colors and comes in hiked skirt or hikizuri. Both look very well created and natural. The sleeves are bit boxy, but that doesn't undermine the beauty of this kimono. If you're looking for a great summer kimono, I'm sure you'll find one at Ancient Tree Kimono.

Don't forget the free kimono from the Lost Your Marbles hunt that is there as well. Check it out!! I comes with an animated fan, how kawaii!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hair is new from Sadistic Hacker. It's called Kiyohime in black. It's such a nice touch to any Japanese avatar. You always get the best hair from SH!

Kimono :: Ancient Tree Kimono

Hair :: Sadistic Hacker

Yumeji 50% off Sale

2010-06-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yumeji kimono shop is having a 50% off sale at their main store location. All kimono's and yukata's are 50% OFF! What I have on is one of the later yukata's, but the color, print, and detailed were irresitable. Come now to the shop and find your perfect kimono half off. The sale won't last long, so get your yukata for the summer!

^^

*Yumeji*

Summery Gorgeous

2010-06-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

So many creators came out with great looking yukata's to wear. I'm so happy to have new kimonos! This one is simply beautiful. Feel Pop is one of my favorite shops and this is one of the new yukata's she's brought out. Isn't it just lovely! The details are beautiful, the nice bow on the obi and there are small bells attached to the obijime! Kawaii! It comes with a color changing obiage. It has 12 individual colors. So creative! This kimono has pretty lace along the edges, so doll-like. It made me think of being a little girl again.

The warm breeze and bright sun, I can just imagine walking along seashore in this yukata and smiling. Swinging the adorable little kinchaku to and fro that carries within it a small fan and few ryu. A dreamy summer day.

Sadistic Hacker just came out with this new hairstyle. Isn't it cute! It's called Meltdown. I know, strange name, but it's so fanciful and fun! I hope you enjoy them both and go them for yourself! I need a fireworks festival to go to, do you know of any?? lol

yukata - Pop Feel

hair - Sadistic Hacker

50L sale Yukata!

2010-06-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

Yay! Geisha Dreams is having a 50L Yukata sale! There is also all nine of them in a pack for 300L. A yukata for any occasion this summer! There are also summer Zouri and Kinchaku or shoes and small handbags available in the shop. Kinchaku are tied up bags of cloth with woven bottoms that accent yukata's. So sweet! This sale is located in the Java Island shop location. Java is an all stop shopping mall for anything asian or oriental! Pick up your colorful yukata today!

Photos are of yukata's pool blue and sakura shower, both only 50L!

Geisha Dreams Java Island

Yukata!

2010-06-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is a time for Yukata! Yukata is a kimono made simply for the summertime when it is hot and humid. The yukata is airy and light and are mostly made of cotton. They are casual kimonos that are worn at summer festivals or in bath houses. Yukata's are relatively affordable as well. Most ranging from 39 us dollars to 200 for a set with tabi socks and an obi sash. If you're interested in one for yourself there are two nice places where you can purchase them. One is Ichiroya, of course. A well known kimono outlet. The other is the yukata kimono market Sakura. They of hundreds of beautiful Yukata's for this summer!

Of course, Second Life kimono creators have come out with new summer yukata's as well. We'll begin with a new creation from a lovely store called toutou-ann called Karen Momo. It comes in several colors, but I adore this pinky burgundy one. Is pinky really an adjective? Anyway, the obi is so pretty and ornate with pearls and chiffon. This store has several lovely kimonos, you should definitely go there and check it out! The kanzashi is the second set of Karuyakai

Kimiaya~

Yukata Karen Momo - Toutou-Ann

Kanzashi - Karuyakai - Hana Katsuraya

Kimono summer

2010-06-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Ah, the summertime, the warm breeze and dazzling sunshine... against katana blades and simmering fans. It's summer in Japan on SL and Geisha Dreams has released a new kimono for the summer and Hana Katsuraya has released a new kanzashi. Mizuiro is a part of the Sanpo Collection at Geisha Dreams. Also, if you're a group member you get a free sample of her new skins, one of which I am wearing in these photos. ^^ Both the kimono and the skin are from the creative mind of Aryanna DeCuir. Must haves!

Hana has released the new kanzashi, Karyukai. This quote is straight from her note card that comes with the kanzashi.

"This collection features some of the themes of early summer that are less commonly seen in kanzashi. Yuri (百合) or lily, is one of the most beautiful flowers of early summer, and depending on the color or species can represent a number of qualities in Japanese culture. The other kanzashi motif is a combination of nadeshiko (撫子), or dianthus, and yanagi (柳), or willow, layered on a parasol of metallic mizuhiki cord, and evokes an image unique to the geisha culture of the karyukai (花柳界), or flower and willow world." -Hana Hendrassen

All of her kanzashi are so beautifully detailed. She's an amazing creator.

Aoi and I are modeling these and he is wearing a sexy off-the-shoulder kimono from So What? We happened upon this little shop in the Catch a shooting star hunt! The kimono is called, ++ wa gi (black and red) I edit most my pics for artistic effect, the last one is unedited so you can see how they look in world. Enjoy ^^

Geisha Dreams

Hana Katsuraya

So What?

Pretty mermaid kimono

2010-05-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is one of my older kimono's. The shop is unfornately gone, I believe, but I wanted to share it with you. The obi is nicely detailed and the flow of the kimono is really sweet. The bottom flares out like a mermaid dress and the kimono sleeves are swept up gently with any movement. I just like wearing a kimono like this that makes you feel pretty and prestine.

New Samurai release!

2010-05-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

Aoi and I took some pics with a new samurai release kimono and a summer kimono. The samurai kimono is from Jugoya. Aoi is wearing the Bunmei (dots) style. It's 380L, but very authentic looking. I like the pleats in the hakama and the shirt. I left the last pic unedited so you could see it clearly. Very detailed and smooth looking. I have on the summer blue kimono from Giorno Brando. It's not a new release and you can find it at any GB location. Of course I'll give the main one at the bottom. Katanas are not included. Enjoy the pics, get the kimonos!

Samurai kimono: Jugoya

Summer kimono: [GB]

Falln Angel Sale!

2010-05-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hurry, be quick. Azriel has taken half price off 42 items in his main store. That includes, you guessed it. Kimonos! The sale ends today at midnight SLT. I only found 2 of the items to be kimonos, but they were so nice, I wanted to share them with you. I always love the large detailed obi bow in the back. The hair with the black kimono is from Falln as well, but not a part of the half price sale. Az always surprises his customers with fun events! Thanks so much for the sale!

This way to Falln Angel Creations

Irotomesode Sky Blue

2010-05-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Irotomesode kimono's are less formal kimono's usually. They mostly have a solid color other than black for 3/4th of the kimono and the 1/4 bottom has the designs. It is sometimes called the colored kimono, or colored tomesode. Married and unmarried people can wear them to semi formal occasions. This kimono is a sky blue irotomesode from Geisha Dreams. I know it's a little early, but in the month of June Geisha's wear willow kanzashi. A very summery ensemble.

Milky Kimono Hunt

2010-05-22T16:43:00.001-07:00

Milky has a nice kimono hunt going on, unfortunately, the last day is tomorrow. I have to say, it was rather difficult and we just happened upon the last card by chance. Go to Milkyhouse, buy the hud (for free), wear it and you will find you need to find 15 boxes, or cards. In order to receive the prize, it says you have to save all the princesses. There are three princesses, that they say, were kidnapped. There are also priests hidden in the cards that will hinder the hunt, and if you touch one of them, all your princesses will be taken away. Yes, we had to do this several times and it was frustrating, lol.

The hud gives you very few hints, so I suggest walking all around the sim, going to the neo-japan sim, and lastly, falling into the waterfall at the kimono center for the final card. You will have two blank cards upon completion of the hunt. Then, it will give you the landmark for the prize. Unfortunately, for us, the last "gift giver" landmark wouldn't work, so I just had to get there by finding it on the map. It was well worth the hardship of the hunt, though. You get a nice these nice kimonos! One for females and yes, one for males! I have a back shot to show the pretty red bow on the kimono. Katanas were not included in the gift, but the hat was. ^^

+Milkyhouse Kimono Hunt+

Found a New Kimono Shop!

2010-05-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

So, this weekend started off Milky's Kimono events! They had a fashion show on Saturday and they opened to sim to have several kimono shops all in one place. I went there last night and was in heaven! Kimono shops everywhere. I even found a new kimono shop I'd never seen, which believe me, is rare. Pop Feel is a shop that has great kimono's for reasonable prices. At the Milky event, they have a shop that has pretty haori coats and kimonos to offer. Even an entire outfit for 1L! You get a kimono, obi, geta, tabi, and even a shape! That's a deal! Here you'll see I'm wearing a Pop Feel Rin Haori all for 370L. It also includes a shape and geta. Amazing! The next picture is of the 1L kimono. Aren't they lovely? Most are photoshoped for effect, I did leave a couple not so you can see the true colors. I will definitely be watching for more from Pop Feel. Join Milky House in celebrating kimonos! See you there!

Kimono, Shape, and Geta: Pop Feel

Place: Milky House Event Sim

Wisteria and upcoming kimono Hunt

2010-05-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's still May and I have more pictures of Wisteria for you. Think it's my favorite flower? Maybe. I do know I have another kimono with a wisteria motif! This one is a beautiful azure blue with purple and pink wisteria throughout with a nice red and gold obi to match. They look great together! This kimono can still be found at Tenran. The okobo shoes that match can be found there as well.

I love the Geisha style. No, I'm not a Geisha on SL, but I love the look and dress of Geisha. Of, course I do, because I love kimonos! This hair style is called katsuyama. It flatters the wisteria kanzashi that hang beautifully. This kanzashi is from Hana Katsuraya. She puts such detail in her kanzashi. They are works of art.

The last pic is from a tea house in Hosoi. Ocha wa ikaga desuka? ^^

Oh, I almost forgot. There will be a kimono hunt at one of my favorite kimono shops, Milky. It begins on May 22nd. More details later, but if you want a beautiful kimono from Milky House, here's your chance.

Kimono: Tenran
Kanzashi and Hair: Hana Katsuraya

Golden Week and Wisteria

2010-05-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

We are still in the middle of Golden Week over in Japan. If you were wondering, Golden Week is as follows. First, Showa Day is April 29, the birthday of the former emperor. Second, May 3 is Constitution Day, or Japan's post war commemorating that constitution. Third, May 4 is Green Day for growing plants and things and showing appreciation for them. May 5 is Children's Day, a day which traditionally, boys fly carp-shaped kites or flags and children as well as mother's are honored.

Happy Golden Week, everyone!

May is here! Seasonal flowers are always the motif in Japan, and this month the star flower is the wisteria. Therefore, it's time for a change in kanzanshi in May. We'll go from the small delicate pink sakura petals to the long bold purple wisteria that people in Japan wear in this month! Just when the last sakura petal falls, you would think Hanami would be over. Oh no, it's time for wisteria viewing and having that last spring picnic under wisteria petals before the summer begins.

Wisteria kanzashi hang loosely and playfully over the hair. I personally love wisteria, since purple is my all time favorite color. Wisteria has been associated with kimonos for years. Here's a few nice pics for you to see. So in keeping with the love of kimono's I have on a very nice Falln Angel wisteria kimono. I love the spring green color and it goes so well with purple wisteria kanzashi from Tenran.

Enjoy the kimono, wisteria, and golden week!

Kimono: FallnAngel
Kanzashi: Tenran