An absolutely exquisite, green hikizuri kimono. Hikizuri are worn trailing and elegantly kicked round as the wearer turns in dance or as a bride. The padded hem makes it keep its shape while it trails
Lovely floral kumodori (breaks in the clouds) design, with gorgeous, long tailed birds. The design is enhanced here and there with wonderful, gold shusu, which is metallic thread made of foil on thin membrane or paper strips, which are wrapped around silk threads. These metallic threads cannot be stitched through the silk fabrics, so they are traditionally "couched": laid on the fabric surface and stitched down with fine silk threads. Often seen outlining designs on ornate kimono
A touch of padding along the very bottom of the hem, to make it hang well. This style of kimono is often allowed to trail as one walks. The red part of the lower lining is what touches the floor and it can be removed (it's hand stitched, as all such kimono are) and washed on its own, then put back on. It can also be worn shortened to length, just like any other kimono, rather than worn trailing
Fully lined with red lining in the sleeves and on the lower half of the body. Red is the Japanese colour of happiness. This kimono has a hiyoku lining - double lower lining, to give the impression of layers. The hiyoku is a bit creased but just needs ironed
May have shitsuke-ito stitching around the edge; shitsuke-ito is loose, temporary stitching that the Japanese put in to keep edges neat during storage, it just gets pulled out before wearing
**If shown with a sash, the sash is not included; for display purposes only, to let you see it closed, however, all kimono require an obi or some sort of sash to hold them closed; these are always bought separately. Think of it like a skirt and blouse, you can't wear either on its own, you buy them separately and mix and match
 
Condition:
Excellent
 
To judge fit on you...
Check height: Women can choose kimono that are longer than their height, as any excess material is then traditionally folded over at the waist (see below)
Check width: A kimono with a width that is at least 16” (40cm) greater than your hip size will fit perfectly, although if the width of the kimono is not at least 10” (25cm) greater than your hip size, your legs may be visible as you walk, there’s nothing wrong with that of course, but it’s not the traditional way
Sleeve length: Measure from centre back of neck, along shoulder and down the arm to the wrist, then double that and compare it with the sleeve end measurement to judge sleeve length
Adjusting the Length the traditional way
Pull up your kimono until the bottom reaches the correct length, then tie it in place round your waist with a ribbon or a koshi himo (kimono tie). Fold the excess material down over the tie. This fold-over is called ohashiori and is always present on women's kimonos. Fasten an obi or wide belt or sash around the waist, over the top of the folded over fabric, which usually shows below
 
Measurements aproximately:
Sleeve end to sleeve end 130 cm
Sleeve seam to sleeve seam 66 cm
Sleeve depth 108 cm
Length 180 cm
Weight approx. 1.7 kilo
 
 
 
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wk165/08/07