Yukata

Yukata is a Japanese garment. It is a comfortable dress on summer days or after a hot bath. Yukata is a more lightweight kimono. A casual summer kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric band, and unlined. It can be worn directly over the skin and it's perfect for just after a bath. It is also easy to wear the Yukata. After wear the Yukata, must make sure the left side is folded over the right side then tie it with an obi(sash). Yukata also is versatile because they can be worn when stepping outside for a while or moment even wear as pajamas. They are ideal for Japan's humid summer. Yukata is an informal leisure clothing because yukata considered very casual and it is not supposed to be worn on formal occasions. 

Yukata is a simple kimono and it more cheaper than kimono. The Japanese will generally participate in more folk festivals such as Bon-odori Festival and Hanabi and they will wear a Yukata together with geta (Japanese-style sandals). Yukata are worn for both men and women. Men's yukata are distinguished by the shorter sleeve extension of approximately 10cm from the armpit seam, compared to the longer 20cm sleeve extension in women's yukata. Yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes, although their use is not limited to after-bath wear.

Picture of  Men's Yukata  

Picture of Women's Yukata

 A standard yukata ensemble consists of a  a wide range of accessories such as stylish ornamental hairpins, cotton undergarment (juban), yukata, obi, bare feet, tabi, geta, a foldable or fixed hand fan, and kinchaku. For men, an optional hat or derby may also be worn to protect the head from the sun.Today the yukata has become a fixed summer fashion because it was originally meant for home wearing. After a bath, you'll also find yukata laid out for visitors in the rooms of many of Japan's hotels and ryokan (traditional inns). After bathing visitors can relax in their yukata and then wear them to bed as well.

Picture of Stylish Ornamental hairpins

Picture of Obi

 

Picture of Tabi

Picture of Geta

Picture of Foldable Hand Fans

Picture of  Kinchaku

 Most of the traditional yukata dyed blue dye made ​​from cotton but now it has become diversified bathrobe color choices. Pattern is generally used in the summer of plants and animals or things. Mostly, the younger people will choose colors bright, vivid colors and more pattern designs.The older people would choose darker, matured colors and simpler designs, this is similar with the kimono. A child may wear a multicolored print and a young woman may wear a floral print, while an older woman would confine herself to a traditional dark blue with geometric patterns. Men in general may wear solid dark colors. For the girls, they will styling their hair using decorative pins to look more beautiful when they wear Yukata. As a Japanese traditional clothing yukata summer, in the mix of colors and fancy, as much as possible reflect the summer cool feeling. Blue, purple and white bottom is the most common with goldfish, fireworks, butterflies and other lovely patterns.

Picture of The younger people wear Yukata which
bright,more vivid and more pattern design.

In Onsen Ryokan, the hostel will normally offer guests bathrobes and some even wearing a bathrobe eating go shopping or to a restaurant. It also usually wearing bathrobe belt tied in cloth to prevent bathrobe trip open in a private place such as wearing a bathrobe after bathing, it may simply tied with a simple ribbon. When wearing a bathrobe, generally with Japanese-style clogs.

Sumo wrestlers would wear in public bathrobe, budding wrestler in any weather, even when the cold weather are relatively thin wearing only a bathrobe. In the summer most wrestlers will wear.

Picture of wearing a bathrobe in a restaurant.

Picture of wearing a bathrode in Onsen Ryokan.

The ways to learn how to wear Yukata :

1. Find your favorite Yukata.

2. Put the Yukata on. Flip the long sleeves back over your arms, so that they won't be in your way.

3. While one hand is holding both sides of the fabric together in front of your body, try to locate the center line of the garment (where the fabrics are sewed together)on the back of your body using the other hand. Fix the garment to the center.

4. Open up the garment and pull it up to the ankle level.

5. Bring the left side of the garment to the front and decide the length and width.

6. Open up the left side while keeping the length and bring the right side to the front. Decide the length. Bottom corner of the right side of the garment should be about 4" from the ground.

7. Keep the right side garment and bring the left side on top of it. Decide the length. The bottom corner of the left side garment should be about 2" from the ground.

8. Use Koshi-Himo and tie the garment around the waist. Make sure to tie tightly to avoid the garment getting loose. Tack the Koshi-Himo in.

9. Find the side pockets, stick both hands, and pull the extra fabric over Koshi-Himo. Make sure to do the front and the back. *This layer around the waist is called Ohashori. Ohashori is supposed to show below the Obi.

10. Fix the shape of Ohashori and tie the second Koshi-Himo right below the bust. This one does not have to be as tight as the first one. Tack the Koshi-Himo ends in.

11. If you are slim build, you may have extra fabric on the side of the upper body. At the side pockets, pull the back fabric to the front and the pull back the front fabric over it to hide the extra fabric. This will make a clean side look.

12. And now you are done! Make sure to Tie an Obi around the waist for the complete Yukata look.

Want to know more information on how to wear Yukata, please go to the following link. (^.^)

 http://www.shimazakura.com/articles.asp?id=149

Cherry Blossom

Sakura is a Japanese name which means cherry blossom. Cherry Blossom is the Japan's unofficial national flower. The Cherry blossom holds a very prominent position in Japanese Culture because it has been celebrated for many centuries. In Japan, there are many different varieties of cherry blossoms. Most of the cherry blossoms are blooming in spring season or spring days.The Japanese people will celebrate the annual of cherry blossom blossom season which also known as Hanami. 

Hanami is Japan's unique way of flowers, spring cherry blossom season commenced whenever the occasion, people will cluster around the cherry blossoms are in, sit-down pink and flower trees, toast singing, laughing spring, enjoy capturing blooming spring. The Japanese flowering cherry approximately fifty days, but each region only from flowers to flowers fade seven to ten days. Japanese government each year on March 15 - April 15 as "Cherry Blossom Festival (festival)." The Japan Meteorological Agency will publish an annual cherry blossom forecast dates for "Sakura front" because Spring cherry blossom is one of Japan's tradition.

Picture of Cherry Blossom blooms and falling petals

Cherry blossoms bloom in April, followed by bloom from south to north, the earliest can watch the cherry blossoms are Okinawa and the most belated cherry is the coldest in Japan which are Hokkaido.It bloom flowers in the parks and streets can smell the faint at the flowers and you can also enjoy the red, pink and white cherry blossoms. Each time, large and small are held throughout Japan, "Cherry Blossom Festival". Friends and family sitting out under the cherry trees to eat which they prepare their lunch boxes, drinking champagne or sake, laughing. Flowers crowd either know or do not know will nod hello from time to time and even exchanged food.Cherry blossom flower as it is to let everyone have a real "Family Day" and "Friendship Day". Some of the companies will viewing cherry blossoms as a the company's "designated projects". In Japan, Cherry blossoms was undoubtedly the most interesting places Hakone it. In this scenic tourist destination where you can not only admire the cherry blossoms while the hot springs while also overlooking the quiet and beautiful Mt. Fuji.

Picture of Japanese People with their friends and family sit under the Cherry Blossom tree to celebrate the "Cherry Blossom Festival" known as Hanami.

Picture of large and small are held "Cherry Blossom Festival" throughout Japan.

Picture of Cherry Blossom at Mt Fuji.

The Cherry blossom tree is a truly a sight to behold, especially when it is in full riotous bloom. Some of the cherry blossom will produce actual cherries. While most of cherry blossom will also produce flowering branches full of the small pinkish-hued flowers.

Picture of Cherry Blossom

The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture have more than hundred of years history. The Cherry blossom are represents the fragility and the beauty of life in Japan. It means the life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. Example,When the cherry blossom trees bloom for a short time each year in brilliant force, they serve as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is. Then, when Japanese people come together to view the cherry blossom trees and marvel at their beauty, they aren't just thinking about the flowers. They also must think about the larger meaning and deep cultural tradition the cherry blossom tree. Cherry blossoms in modern Japan by the Japanese as a symbol of the spirit.

Cherry blossoms in Japan represents one thing because it is a symbol of love and hope. According to legend a long time ago, in Japan there was a man named "Ye Ji wooden flowers" which is meaning cherry fairy. She will be a symbol of love and hope flowers Sabian every corner from Okinawa pass through Kyushu, Kansai, Kanto and other places and the second year in May to reach Hokkaido. To commemorate the fairies, the locals give this flower named "Sakura" and Japan has thus become "Sakura of the country."

Flower language of different types of Cherry Blossom :

1. Sakura: life, happiness for life and never give up, the fate of the law is the cycle
2. Yamazakura: smiling at you, the spirit of America
3. Western cherry: good education
4. Winter cherry: the mysterious Orient
5. Double cherry blossom: quiet
6. Cherry Hill: pure / noble / weak

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Tea Ceremony is a ritual that is heavily-influenced by the teachings of Zen Buddhism and there are two types of the tea gatherings which with Ochakai being the simpler form of ceremony. Tea Ceremony usually includes a service of confections, usucha (thin tea), and ten shin (light meal).Chaji is the more formal of the two ceremonies which it includes of kaiseki (full-course meal), the service of confections, koicha (thick tea), and the usucha (thin tea). The Chaji tea ceremony can last more than four hours.  

Chanoyu, Sado or simply Ocha in Japanese is also called the The Japanese Tea Ceremony. The choreographic ritual of preparing and serving the Japanese green tea is also called Matcha and together with the traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the taste of tea. Preparing and serving tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. Prepare a bowl of tea is from one's person heart or mind is an about aesthetics. Host of the ceremony will considers the movement and gesture of guests. The placement of the tea utensils from the view point of the guests, the main guests also known as or called Shokyaku.

Matcha have two ways of preparing on tea ceremony which are koicha (thick) and usucha (thin). This two use the best quality tea leaves used in prepare thick tea. Koicha is a thick blend of matcha and hot water that requires about three times as much tea to the equivalent amount of water than usucha. Koicha is kneaded with the whisk to smoothly blend the large amount of powdered tea with the water when the matcha and hot water are whipped using the tea whisk which preparing on usucha. Thin tea is served to each guest in an individual bowl, while one bowl of thick tea is shared among several guests. These are the important part a Chanji which is the preparation and drinking of Koicha and it follow by Usucha.

To preparing and serving tea on tea ceremony is also need a tea equipment which called chadogu. A wide range of chadogu are available and different styles and motifs are used for different events and in different seasons because all the tools for tea ceremony are handled with exquisite care.They are also scrupulously cleaned the tea equipment before and after each use and before storing. It also have some are handled with glove hands.

There are a few of the essential components which are Chakin, Tea bowl, Tea caddy, Tea scoop, Tea whisk.

• Chakin is a small rectangular white linen or hemp cloth. It mainly is used to wipe the tea bowl.

 Picture of Chakin

•  Tea Bowl have a different styles are used for thick and tea tea. It also available in a wide range of sizes and styles. For example, Shallow bowls are allow the tea to cool rapidly and it used in summer. Deep bowls is used in winter. Bowls are frequently named by their creators or owners or by tea master. Bowls over four hundred years old are in use today but it only on unusually special occasions. Some bowls are extremely valuable and the best bowls are thrown by hand. They often featured prominently as the "front" of the bowl which have Irregularities and imperfections are prized.

Picture of Tea Bowl

• Tea Caddy are the small lidded container in which the powdered tea is placed for use in the tea-making procedure Otemae.
  
  

  

  Picture of Tea Caddy
  
  

• Tea Scoop are used to scoop tea from the tea caddy into the tea bowl. Bamboo tea scoops in the most casual style have a nodule in the approximate center. Larger scoops are used to transfer tea into the tea caddy in the mizuya which are the preparation area but these are not seen by guests. It also have a different styles and colours are used in various tea traditions.Tea scoop generally are carved from a single piece of bamboo, although they may also be made of ivory or wood.

Picture of Tea Scoop

• Tea Whisk is the implement used to mix the powdered tea with the hot water. It carved from a single piece of bamboo and there are various types. The host should use a new one when holding a chakai or chaji because tea whisk quickly become worn and damaged when it use.
  
  
  

  

  Picture of Tea Whisk