Spotlight: Shibori (絞り) Hikizuri
On The Eight Day of Fun I present... a look at one of the most dynamic types of kimono found in the karyukai: shibori kimono!
Worn in the coldest months of the year (December - March) due to their thickness, shibori hikizuri are among the most fabulous and expensive types of kimono found in the karyukai. Shibori (絞り) is Japanese tie dyeing and is extremely labor intensive. The most popular type of shibori is called Kanoko (鹿の子); translated as "Deer/Fawn Spots," they're made up of tiny circles that are hand tied, one-by-one, to make fabulous and intricate patterns.
In the karyukai, the most popular motif for shibori is flowers (it is the flower and willow world after all!). In these examples we can see chrysanthemums, wisteria, cherry blossoms, and more!
The best time to see these beauties in real life is in December during Kaomise Soken and in February during Setsubun; this is where maiko dress up in their finest, and there's no finer kimono than a shibori one!
Images
Mameyuri (豆ゆり)
Kanohiro (叶紘)
Hidemai (秀眞衣)
Kimisora (君宙) and Kimishō (君翔)
Kohatsu (小はつ)