Today’s Insanity:
- Crash Course: How I Date A Kimono, Part 1–Basic Introduction & At A Glance
We start with dinner and a movie, and we see how the night goes. You’re welcome for that, I’m very funny. No really, though, this is actually a blog by popular demand. I wasn’t going to address it right away, but as of right now my restoration station and pretty much everything else is shut … Continue reading Crash Course: How I Date A Kimono, Part 1–Basic Introduction & At A Glance - What’s The Damage? Suspect Internment Shenanigans–GoodWill Koimono
Yes, I wrote “koimono” on purpose. This is not a kind of kimono, I’m just being very clever. Oh so very clever. But other than the super cleverness, the title is very accurate. I suspect internment shenanigans, and I bought this shit from the GoodWill auction site. If you were competing against me for this, … Continue reading What’s The Damage? Suspect Internment Shenanigans–GoodWill Koimono - What’s The Damage? Suspect Internment Shenanigans–The Clown House
Once again I’m over here with an item I bought exclusively because I just had to see the damn thing up close. I’m not saying I’m a glutton for punishment, but that’s because I don’t have to, you’ve been here before. Insane colors? Check. Weird ass tailoring? Check. Almost useless (for my purposes) seller photos? … Continue reading What’s The Damage? Suspect Internment Shenanigans–The Clown House - What’s The Damage? Antique Hikifurisode–Mysterious Bleaching
So here I am (rockyoulikeahurricaaaane) and you know it took every ounce of my being not to just use the word “discharge” in that title and then sit here and giggle like a goddamn nine year old about it. I mean, it’s technically still correct. The primary issue with this piece is that the dye … Continue reading What’s The Damage? Antique Hikifurisode–Mysterious Bleaching - Post World War II Kimono Brutality: Kurotomesode Edition
I quite frequently get emails asking for an opinion on what/how old a kimono is. Typically this is pretty straightforward, but a few times now, what they had was an antique kurotomesode that had seen some shit. For a quick explanation, a kurotomesode is the most formal dress for a married woman that is identifiable … Continue reading Post World War II Kimono Brutality: Kurotomesode Edition - Day of Remembrance–Executive Order 9066
Eighty-one years ago today, the United States government made the decision to order the immediate relocation and internment of all persons of Japanese origin, citizen or non. The victims of this order were given nearly no notice and told they could bring only what they could carry. They couldn’t keep properties owned or pack their … Continue reading Day of Remembrance–Executive Order 9066 - Antique Irotomesode & Whimsical Adventures Of Shopping In USA; Photography Edition
I think that one of the most exciting things that keeps me engaged with buying kimono domestically is the fact that, as I say frequently, it really is just chaos and anarchy out here. Nobody knows how old anything is; new products are listed as ancient and legit antiques are often called 60’s to 80’s. … Continue reading Antique Irotomesode & Whimsical Adventures Of Shopping In USA; Photography Edition - Poll–Do You Want To Watch This Happen?
Aside from direct stain removal advice, the number one thing that ends up in my inbox is some variant of this question: Do you have/why don’t you have/can you link your videos/YouTube? And my answer is typically because I don’t have a YouTube, I don’t want to appear in front of a camera, and because … Continue reading Poll–Do You Want To Watch This Happen? - Restoration Complete: Great Grandma Akiye’s Furisode. “Great Big White Birds”
A Flock Of Doves In Flight Over Wild Waves And Majestic Gold And Silver Pine On Decadent Red Silk. On July the 24th, 2021 I posted this entry, after a bloody and violent bidding war for this kimono. For those joining this story here are the end, this is a piece that has been lost … Continue reading Restoration Complete: Great Grandma Akiye’s Furisode. “Great Big White Birds” - Antique Kurotomesode–Parinirvana Of Sakyamuni
Your Regular Flavor Text Is In The Corner Having An Existential Crisis. This Kimono Is Chaos On Black Silk. As I lay here on the floor staring at the ceiling, filling my cheeks with air and letting it out in short squeekie puffs as though to pretend that I am a giant chipmunk because being … Continue reading Antique Kurotomesode–Parinirvana Of Sakyamuni
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Silk & Bones 
I tried sending you and email but it was returned as undeliverable.
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My best advice is to try again. I just answered emails from that address today so it IS up and running.
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It was my mistake in your email. I used an ‘O’ instead of a ‘0’. I was writing about seeing our family’s mon (myoga) on the beautiful red kimono in your post. My grandparents came from Kumamoto, Japan to Hawaii in the early 1900s to work in the pineapple fields. My grandmother’s maiden name was Otsuka and my grandfather’s last name was Mitsui. So I wondered if you are also related to the Mitsui family in Japan. It would be a coincidence. Regards, Corinne Holland
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There are a LOT of Mitsuis both in Japan and the USA, and we’re not all related. It’s certainly possible, though. We (my Mitsuis)have a very large extended family!
But our mon is actually Gyouyou. It’s very similar to myouga, but there are differences. Myouga has a bloomed top whereas Gyouyou has a closed one.
That said, kamon history is chaos. There are articles of clothing in my family’s photos that had myouga and other completely unrelated mon on them!
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Thanks for your reply. Since I grew up in Hawaii and never been to Japan, my knowledge of the culture is rather limited. I don’t even speak the language. That said, I am in possession of a short kimono that supposedly belonged to my grandmother. It is rather short so either she was just a child or it’s a kind of jacket. If I sent you a picture could you tell me what it is? Also, it doesn’t have either red or white lining, just a complete lining of a different printed material and it appears to be totally hand sewn. I have it on my wall but now that I think of how important it is to me and my family, I could use some recommendation as to how to care for it. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Corinne Holland
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Send photos and I’ll tell you everything I can about it. 💜 soulsatzer0.mitsui@gmail.com
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