very special kanzashi

[aimeekitty]

I had been dreaming for at least 2 years about visiting the old kanzashi stores that supply the geiko and maiko in Kyoto. I'd been saving up my pennies.
I was so excited when I stepped in the store and realized it was the one I'd seen in KIE magazine and had been hoping to visit for so long! Also, the man running the store was the owner, and the one who made the kanzashi. I kept thanking him repeatedly. He probably thought I was mental.
I got myself one large maiko set (sakura, which were blooming at the time) as a special special thing... and the rest are smaller kanzashi which I will probably wear with my normal kimono. :)

as a side note, all of these are seasonal flowers. Many kanzashi (hair ornaments) that you see online are just random flowers. They are still gorgeous, but these below are of the same style that are worn by Maiko. Maiko wear a specific flower for each month. (one of two or three flowers, but they are specific.)
I think it will be very fun to wear these with kimono seasonally. (though I'm sure sometimes I will just wear it at a particular time due to color.)

Each petal is made out of one or more tiny squares of silk fabric that are folded into shape.

Plum for February


Daffodil for March


Iris for May


Fan for July


Pampas Grass for August


Morning Glories for August


Maple for November



and lastly, my very special one, Sakura for April:

Comments

[kayiko.livejournal.com]

Wow.. those are really beautiful! I remember the first kanzashi that i got. I forget what they are called, but its the ones with the pink (or yellow and red) peddles that fall down the left side of the face. I always wanted that. Its so wonderful that you got to go to your fav shop and get them. They must of cost a pretty penny too. Geiko and Maiko stuff is expensive man. To get to go to Kyoto in the spring. Man. Thats amazing. You should go up to Hokkaido island in the winter. They have Snow festivals.. and make things out of snow and ice. I just saw pictures of this and its breath taking.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

the ones that hang down the face, you could have those with multiples of flowers. Traditionally, they are willows, but younger Maiko wear those trailing types with any of these flowers as a set. :)

They actually weren't that expensive. They're much more affordable at his shop than if I bought them online. I would say almost half the price I wo uld pay online. :)