Mon sejour en Paris ( October 14-19,2010) ①Pont-Neuf, La Seine

Yesterday evening I arrived in Paris. (Octover 14,2010)

My hotel is Villa Fenelon, located near Cadet station (Metro).
Villa Fenelon  web site ...  http://www.villa-fenelon.net/index.php?lang=ja

This is breakfast in Villa Fenelon.

This is really lovely...

 I like these breads...

 Now, I'm on the Pont Neuf. (this photo) The River Seine is very beautiful.

Everything is unbelievable!

Today, I'm going to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

I heared this is famous department store near Pont Neuf,"Samaritaine".

I heared this department store is closed since June 2005,

because this building become too old.

But there is some project to renew this department store.

Is that famous bateaux-mouches? I wanna Seine river cruise...

This is a mounted statue of Henri ⅳ(1553ー1610).

He contributed to harmony between Protestant and Catholic in France.

Beautiful scenery....

It was my first visit to Île de la Cité,so I lost my way.

I wannna find Cathédrale Notre-Dame...

To be continued...

(I uploaded the photos of next blog again. So please enjoy "Mon sejour en Paris ②".

Sorry for long inconvenience.)

"Sensho Kitamra"ー（染匠きたむら） Kimono Rental Shop④

Fix the shape....

It's almost finish...

Wow! You look so great!

You two look so nice!

We're under the illusion  we slip back in time to Edo period with her....

Backstyle is gorgeous,too!

Hold that pose! You're so graceful.

Wow! So fascinating!

 I wish you all the happiness in the world!

These animal crafts are made of Kimono cloth,called "Chirimen".

You can by them in this shop.

You can also buy these kind of cute animal crafts.

How was our exploration to "Sensho Kitamura"?

 You'll receive a hearty welcome at this shop. I guarantee.

 Now it's your turn.

Why don't you come and enjoy Kyoto with Kimono?

"Sensho Kitamura"  web site→ http://www.sensho-kitamura.jp/

"Sensho Kitamura"（染匠きたむら）ー Kimono Rental Shop (Kyoto) ③

        Now, it's final stage. Let's have her hair done up. We're waiting in big expectation.....

These are kind of long hairpin,called "Kanzashi" in Japan.

 (Use or not is up to you. If you want to use,tell the shopstaff.)

 You can also use a hairpiece if you need.It's helpful to make you gorgeous.

It seems they're finally finished dress-up.

In winter,if you're cold,you can wear a shawl,too.

Wishing the both of you all the happiness in the world!

         

Oh,look at these girls. They're gonna dressed-up,too.

She chose red Kimono with sakura design.It's beautiful.

She chose pink Kimono with a floral design.

To be continued.....

"Sensho Kitamura"（染匠きたむら）ー Kimono Rental Shop (Kyoto) ②

Her Obi (red belt in Kimono) should be tied tightly,using "Obidome"( pink ribbon ).

Backstile is important,too.Actually,there are various kinds of Obi knot. For example, flower-shaped,or fan-shaped,ribbon shaped,etc.We japanese enjoy the varieties of Obi knot.
This Obi knot (in photo) is called "Taiko Obi". It's square shape.

"Kitsuke"(dress up) is almost finished..... 

Finally Kitsuke (dress up) is finished...Now she is released. The rest is her hair-dressed.

"How about my Kimono?" It really suits you!

To be continued.....

"Sensho Kitamura"（染匠きたむら）ー Kimono Rental Shop (Kyoto) ①

Look at that beautiful two young ladies! This is Kyoto (Higashiyama).They're from Hong Kong .(Ryu 劉 and her friend). They're enjoying sightseeing in Kyoto.

Let's dress up with beautiful Kimono and take a walk in Kyoto, shall we?

Who cast a spell on them?  I'd like to reveal the trick with you.  Let's go!

Look, is this the shop which holds the key to clear up a mystery? Come on, let's explore!

Check it out! She's gonna turn into princess!

The girl is just in the middle of getting dressed of Kimono. The lady  (right side) is helping her dressing Kimono.She is the manager of this shop,and professional master of dressing Kimono.Her name is Mrs.Kato.She is tieing Japanese Obi(belt).  Obi is very long, and the design is very beautiful.

Want to look more? To be continued .....Don't miss it!☆

New Year's card ー 2011 is the rabbit year in Japan

Snow rabbits and nandina tree.They're real feeling of winter.  New Year greeting card with this kind of illustration is often used in Japan.

These kind of illustrations are also used for our New Year's card. They are believed to bring happiness.

This is "Kagamimochi".

 This is "Osechi".

This is"Otoso".

These three things ( Kagamimochi,Osechi.Otoso) are "Must" things when we celebrate new year in Japan.

"Kagamimochi" is a large,round rice cake offered to the gods at New Year's.

"Osechi" is Japanese traditional New Year's cuisine.The box resembles bento box.

"Otoso" is sake. Otoso is drunk to flush away the previous year's maladies and to aspire to lead a long life.

Nishijin Kimono Showー Kyoto

                                                                                                                

Good evening. I went to Kyoto today. There was a small Kimono Fashion Show at Kyoto Nishijin（西陣）Textile Center.（ My husband and I happend to be passing by the place when the show started.）
"Nishijin Weaving" is typical traditional craft in Kyoto. It's very famous in Japan. "Nishijin" is a name of an area in Kyoto. This traditional craft has long history,over 1200 years. This weaving industry has  grown under the influence of Jacquard weaving technique in France,Lyon. The character of "Nishijin Weaving" is, for example, the brilliant coloring. And  we can feel a sense of season from each design. Today Kimono population is dwindling in Japan,but Nishijin Kimono is of high value even now.