WORK

Back to work, after four days off. It was pretty busy most of the day. I was proud of myself, I figured out something that had been broken for a couple of weeks! It also occurred to me that I had really missed seeing everyone in my office/branch. They're a great bunch of people.

I officially quit Kumon today by writing a note indicating I would no longer be attending. I feel better and worse, all at the same time. Kumon was just not for me; I was particularly put off by the noisy "classroom" and the multitasking teachers. I REALLY want a proper classroom and teacher. If I really want to, I can study off Chris' sheets. I think I may just do that, but I'm hoping to find a tutor.

Eiko-san returns to Misawa in 10 days. My lesson planner indicates I'll be learning こどもきもの(children's kimono), ふりそで (furisode-the long-sleeved kimono) and おびむすび (obi knots). I'm making an effort to practice kitsuke (or a component of it) daily. I have a little day planner and I write my notes in it. Yesterday, I worked on obis, but had a few glitches. I'll ask Eiko-san for a review.

Tonight I practiced the whole enchilda, er...kimono. It took about about 45 minutes, with stops to take pictures and some stops because I didn't lay out all my items. Eiko-san wants me to be able to do a kimono in 20 minutes (or less).

KIMONO PRACTICE FOR JANUARY 3

My selected practice set is in a winter theme. The kimono has brushstrokes that look like snow or sleet and a bare tree motif, very nice for winter. The obi features a hawk on pine branch, a very Japanese symbol for winter.Here is Karadako-san, my practice mannequin.
She's wearing a traditional chest wrap,
which is more comfortable than a bra! On goes a cotton slip
Then the nagajuban
Oops, here's a mistake.
Do over!The nagajuban has been done over.
Now the kimono goes on.
It would stay on better if
Karadako-san had arms!The clips help hold the collars
since there's no arms.The bottom looks ok.
Now to the top!
The "V" is too deep. Drat.
Much tidier!
The excess fabric is folded over
the cord that was tied around the hips.
The folded over part is called the おはしょり
(Ohashori)
Something I did right!
The top and bottom seams of
the back of the kimono should
line up neatly. Yay!
The neck looks ok.
Not great, just ok.
It should be slightly deeper and
rounder and the undercollar
should be a bit smoother.
Then you fold up the upper layer
of the part you folded down!
(I clipped it so I could take a picture)
Put on the obiita
The obiita helps the obi stay flat.Here's the obi after two wraps.
The pine embroidery is pretty.
Here's the back,
I have made the intial tie.I did the wrap well. Woo.
Here's the completed drum knot.
It's a little long, but I wanted
to show off the hawk.Now around to the front for
some clean-up.
We must be tidy.All done!
Take it all apart and do it again!