浴衣*

*yukata

this coming weekend, there’s a matsuri (festival) in my neighborhood so i decided to host a matsuri party! and, there’s only one thing to wear to a summer japanese matsuri: yukata!

i happen to have a beautiful yukata that my host family bought for me when i was a high school exchange student. we went to the store and picked out the fabric and they measured me and i love it.at the time, i didn’t know how to tie the obi (belt) so they chose a belt that comes with a “bow piece” that you just stick down in the back once you wrap the belt around your waist. i also got shoes from my rotary club, in my (big for japan) size. i had this great little pouch bag too, but my host family’s dog chewed it before i left japan.

when i came back to japan in college, i didn’t bring my yukata with me because i didn’t have room, but when summer came around, i went on a classic summer date (going to see the fireworks in a yukata) so i bought a cheap yukata at UNIQLO (great deal if you’re interested, check it out!). i bought a girl’s magazine that had a special “tie your own belt!” section in it and was able to put my whole ensemble on by myself. i was quite proud for having done it!

when i came back this time, i didn’t bring either yukata, but i realized i’d probably want it, so on one of my trips home, i managed to squeeze my nice yukata in and brought it back with me. however, the “bow piece” is not space efficient, so i didn’t bring it. and i think hand tied bows look better anyway. you can usually spot a “bow piece” a mile away because it’s too perfect.

i’ve had it in the back of my mind that i need to buy an obi, but until now, they were hard to find because yukata are pretty seasonal (summer). the other day i was wandering around shinjuku looking for a completely different store and some obi just inside the door of a store caught my eye. i went in and ended up buying a bright yellow obi (the same color my host family originally bought with my yukata).

now the challenge of putting it on by myself. i have the instructions for the “dress” part, but not for the belt. i glanced at some magazines today hoping one had a yukata section, but didn’t see anything. next best guess? the kimono shop on the corner! god i love shitamachi.

i pass a kimono shop every day on my way from the station to my house. i think kimono are absolutely beautiful and have said numerous times, “oh, i should go look in that store” but never do. today i walked up to the store and the owner was standing outside. i asked if he had a book or explanation of how to tie a yukata obi and he said he didn’t think so but to come in. i went into the store with the man, and his grandson was sitting watching children’s television in the back of the shop, which is also the beginning of their house. shitamachi shops are often houses with a store in front.

the man had a booklet with exactly what i needed! he said i trust you to return it, if you want to make copies. so, i ran to the 7eleven, made copies and went back to return it. the stores big front shutters were all closed!

i was waiting for some digital prints to be done, so i waited, picked them up and then walked back toward home (and toward the kimono shop) and there was the man, his two grandkids and their mom. and fire! they were burning something in a large silver bowl. the man went on and on in japanese (most of which i didn’t understand!) about how you burn these things for the spirits (obon season is upon us) so they come quickly like horses but go slowly like cows. or something! like i said, i didn’t catch most of what he said.

anyway, i stood there for a few moments, thanked him for his kindness and asked his name. he said to come by anytime and said i would come by on sunday with my yukata on because thanks to him, i’ll be able to tie it!