Golden Week's Trip: Day 7 - Kitsuki Castle, Oita
This will be my last entry on the Golden Week's Trip during the one week holiday at the end of April to early May. As promised in the entry Golden Week's Trip: Aso Kujyu & Jigoku, Beppu, today I'll blog about our most valuable experience on wearing kimonos. This is our first experience of wearing kimonos ever since we live in Japan for the past 3 years.
To get the experience of wearing kimono, we went to Kitsuki Castle, located in northern west of Oita prefecture. This place is also commonly known as "Little Kyoto", which still obtains the traditional Japanese streets and stores.
+- rumah tempat pakai kimono -+
The kimono is a Japanese traditional garment worn by women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" (ki "wear" and mono "thing"), has come to denote these full-length robes. The kimonos are available for rental at the price of 2000 yen (RM 75) for 4 hours of wearing it. You can not only choose a kimono to fit you from a wide collection, but also dressing will be fully assisted.
This will be my last entry on the Golden Week's Trip during the one week holiday at the end of April to early May. As promised in the entry Golden Week's Trip: Aso Kujyu & Jigoku, Beppu, today I'll blog about our most valuable experience on wearing kimonos. This is our first experience of wearing kimonos ever since we live in Japan for the past 3 years.
To get the experience of wearing kimono, we went to Kitsuki Castle, located in northern west of Oita prefecture. This place is also commonly known as "Little Kyoto", which still obtains the traditional Japanese streets and stores.
+- rumah tempat pakai kimono -+
The kimono is a Japanese traditional garment worn by women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" (ki "wear" and mono "thing"), has come to denote these full-length robes. The kimonos are available for rental at the price of 2000 yen (RM 75) for 4 hours of wearing it. You can not only choose a kimono to fit you from a wide collection, but also dressing will be fully assisted.
+- you can choose which kimono that you'll like to wear -+
Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right, and secured by a sash called an obi, which is tied at the back. Kimono are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially zori or geta) and split-toe socks (tabi).
+- kimono and it's accessories -+
There are many careful steps to take into consideration while wearing kimono. Basically we need kimono + obi sash + kimono slip + two towels + three koshihimo (soft ties) + datejime (belt) and obiita (stiffener). It is best to wear something (undergarment) underneath a kimono to keep it clean. Then the ladies at the kimono house, wrapped us using all those items.
+- proses pakai kimono untuk lelaki -+
+- proses pakai kimono untuk perempuan lebih complicated -+
Lama jugak proses yang di ambil untuk belit membelit kimono tu. I learn three important things on the right way to wear kimono which are :-
(i) lipatan depan kimono itu will always left over right
(ii) Koshihimo (soft ties) are tied tightly around the waist to maintain the right length
(iii) the collar part should be about three fingers from the back of the neck to show the back of the neck to look elegant *tapi I sumbat tudung so tak lah menampakkan leher*.
+- selepas siap di belit dan di ikat sampai susah nak bernafas-+
In contrast to women's kimono, men's kimono outfits are far simpler, typically consisting of five pieces, not including footwear. Men's obis are made from silk, and it were narrower, shorter and less decorative than those worn by women. The typical men's kimono is a subdued, dark color; black, dark blues, greens, and browns are common. Fabrics are usually matte. These are usually paired with white undergarments and accessories.
+- kimono and it's accessories -+
+- proses pakai kimono untuk lelaki -+
+- proses pakai kimono untuk perempuan lebih complicated -+
Lama jugak proses yang di ambil untuk belit membelit kimono tu. I learn three important things on the right way to wear kimono which are :-
(i) lipatan depan kimono itu will always left over right
(ii) Koshihimo (soft ties) are tied tightly around the waist to maintain the right length
(iii) the collar part should be about three fingers from the back of the neck to show the back of the neck to look elegant *tapi I sumbat tudung so tak lah menampakkan leher*.
+- selepas siap di belit dan di ikat sampai susah nak bernafas-+
In contrast to women's kimono, men's kimono outfits are far simpler, typically consisting of five pieces, not including footwear. Men's obis are made from silk, and it were narrower, shorter and less decorative than those worn by women. The typical men's kimono is a subdued, dark color; black, dark blues, greens, and browns are common. Fabrics are usually matte. These are usually paired with white undergarments and accessories.
+- difference between men's and women's kimono -+
Men's kimono sleeves are attached to the body of the kimono with no more than a few inches unattached at the bottom, unlike the women's style of very deep sleeves mostly unattached from the body of the kimono. Men's sleeves are less deep than women's kimono sleeves to accommodate the obi around the waist beneath them, whereas on a woman's kimono, the long, unattached bottom of the sleeve can hang over the obi without getting in the way.
+- my man in men's kimono -+
A traditional hand-dyed silk woman's kimono may easily exceed 800 000yen (~RM 30 400); a complete kimono outfit, with kimono, undergarments, obi, ties, socks, sandals, and accessories. However, most kimonos owned by kimono hobbyists or by practitioners of traditional arts are far less expensive because they use cheaper and machine-made fabrics to made the kimono. The one that I wore in this picture, cost about 50 000 yen (RM 2000). *perghh first time I pakai baju harga RM2000* .
+- pakai baju harga RM2K, posing pun haruslah over jugak
-+ Lined (awase) kimono, traditionally made of silk but sometimes wool or synthetic fabrics, are worn during the cooler months. Light, cotton yukata are worn by men and women during the summer months and after bathing at onsen (hot spring resorts) and ryokan (traditional inns) *contohnya macam yang kat Bukit Tinggi tu bukan KIMONO tapi YUKATA*.
After we were done with the wearing process, we walk towards the symbols of Kitsuki which are the beautiful slopes which give us the impression and the atomosphere of Edo period (17th ~ mid 19th century). This representative slope of Kitsuki is named as Suya-no-saka. The other slope which is facing the Suya-no-saka is the Shioya-no-saka. These two slopes take an important role in people’s life in the past and even now. Both slopes have outstanding views from the top.
+- the famous Suya-no-saka slope -+
+- photographer tengah curi-curi ambil gambar kitorang kat atas sana -+
Kitsuki Castle is located towards east of the castle town. Built in 1394, the Kitsuki Castle has a long history. The existing castle was rebuilt in 1970. Inside the castle, armors and weaponry are exhibited. From the top floor, tourists can enjoy a panoramic ocean view. However, considering that the three kids were getting cranky due to the hot weather; we didn't make it to the castle but just jalan-jalan around the Samurai residence only.
+- samurai's museum -+
In Kitsuki castle town, samurai residences still exist and impress us with the Japanese architecture and intelligence. It made us feel as if we have traveled back in time to the Edo period.
+- Samurai's residence -+
+- Samurai's residence -+
We are lucky that we went to the place on the Kitsuki Castle Appreciation Month which was held in May to celebrate Kitsuki Castle as Japan’s smallest castle, which many people outside of Oita don’t even know exists.
+- macam-macam jenis orang ada -+
+- barisan maiko dan yang duduk tengah2 pakai 'crown' tu geisha -+
There were lots of events that were held on that day such as the street race where people were carried on a wood stretcher. There was also womens dressed as maiko (apprentice geisha), wearing specially tailored "maiko-style" furisode kimonos with tucks in sleeves and at shoulders. We also met Pendekar Penyu on that day, how interesting is that?.
+- kalau terjumpa tepi hutan tengah-tengah malam,silalah lari bertempiaran secepat mungkin
-+
+- pendekar penyu ado, maiko ada, geish ada..macam-macam ada -+
Because it was unusual for the Japanese people to see foreigners like us wearing kimonos with a scarf, some of them approach us to take our picture.
+- SN rilek je jalan paling depan walaupun kamera DSLR muncung besar tengah di halakan kat muka dia -+
+- pakcik jepun ambik gambar kami dengan penuh kusyuk -+
In conjunction with the special events held at the place on that day, they were also lots of professional photographers. Thus, we were politely asked to model the kimono in front of their cameras. One of them has even send me the printed photo of us in the kimono together with a postcard as an appreciation to our cooperative effort as freelance and unpaid model on that day.
+- SN rilek je jalan paling depan walaupun kamera DSLR muncung besar tengah di halakan kat muka dia -+
+- pakcik jepun ambik gambar kami dengan penuh kusyuk -+
In conjunction with the special events held at the place on that day, they were also lots of professional photographers. Thus, we were politely asked to model the kimono in front of their cameras. One of them has even send me the printed photo of us in the kimono together with a postcard as an appreciation to our cooperative effort as freelance and unpaid model on that day.
+- poskad penghargan dari Hirasumi-san -+
My friend Deja was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the attention that we get from the Japanese people. But, knowing me for the past 8 years she completely understand that I love to be in the limelight hahaha.
I tak kisah lansung jadi model tak berbayar sebab :-
• (1) I get to introduce the beauty of wearing scarf with a kimono to those Japanese people.
• (2) I always dream to be a model but I know that I am not qualified to be one, so this is like once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be photographed by a professional photographer.
• (3) The best part is that, Hirasumi-san also told me that he will send the photo to join some contests organized for professional photographers. Wooohhoooo.
• (4) I loves to be in the center of attention - gila glamour
ngeh3x.
+- posing ikut arahan photographer -+
+- muka kontrol senyum bajet ayu -+
Bila pakai kimono, cara I berjalan pun turut berubah. Jalan terkepit-kepit sopan santun dengan selipar terompah tu. SN pun I tak dukung sebab takut kimono tu jadi 'lari' shape bila I dukung SN. Kesian juga tengok SN berdikari je masa mommy berangan jadi model tu, tapi nasib baik lah SN memang memahami isi hati mommy dia ni, so dia cool je tak buat perangai. Good boy!.
+- SN terbiar sebab mommy gedik berangan jadi model -+
Before we undressed the kimonos, we took the chance to made our own photography session in the Japanese garden there. Masa ini, tak ada orang lain melainkan kami sahaja kat situ. Dapatlah posing sesuka hati sesedap rasa, berangan gaya 'fierceeeeeee' macam yang Tyra Banks ajar dalam America's Next Top Model eheh.
+- dalam taman cinta err I mean Japanese Garden -+
+- posing romantik di tengah hari yang panas terik -+
Overall, I would sum up this entry by saying --> "This is like a once-in-a-lifetime experience dealing with this Kimono stuff. And it's something that we're probably not going to forget."
+- Masya Allah, cantik kan pokok-pokok itu -+
+- happy face -+
## Informations are taken from: Wikipedia
Pssssttt: sesekali berangan jadi model apa salahnya?. Biasanya jadi model untuk blog sendiri je ngeeee. *jadi sila jangan hairan bila tengok banyak gila gambar dalam entry ni, harap maklum*
~Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~
hahaha.+- Deja & Mok de dah malu-malu sebab di minta posing tetapi I pulak macam tak malu -+
-+ I tak kisah lansung jadi model tak berbayar sebab :-
• (1) I get to introduce the beauty of wearing scarf with a kimono to those Japanese people.
• (2) I always dream to be a model but I know that I am not qualified to be one, so this is like once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be photographed by a professional photographer.
• (3) The best part is that, Hirasumi-san also told me that he will send the photo to join some contests organized for professional photographers. Wooohhoooo.
• (4) I loves to be in the center of attention - gila glamour
ngeh3x. +- posing ikut arahan photographer -+
+- muka kontrol senyum bajet ayu
-+ Bila pakai kimono, cara I berjalan pun turut berubah. Jalan terkepit-kepit sopan santun dengan selipar terompah tu. SN pun I tak dukung sebab takut kimono tu jadi 'lari' shape bila I dukung SN. Kesian juga tengok SN berdikari je masa mommy berangan jadi model tu, tapi nasib baik lah SN memang memahami isi hati mommy dia ni, so dia cool je tak buat perangai. Good boy!.
+- SN terbiar sebab mommy gedik berangan jadi model -+
Before we undressed the kimonos, we took the chance to made our own photography session in the Japanese garden there. Masa ini, tak ada orang lain melainkan kami sahaja kat situ. Dapatlah posing sesuka hati sesedap rasa, berangan gaya 'fierceeeeeee' macam yang Tyra Banks ajar dalam America's Next Top Model
eheh. +- dalam taman cinta err I mean Japanese Garden -+
+- posing romantik di tengah hari yang panas terik -+
Overall, I would sum up this entry by saying --> "This is like a once-in-a-lifetime experience dealing with this Kimono stuff. And it's something that we're probably not going to forget."
+- Masya Allah, cantik kan pokok-pokok itu -+
+- happy face -+
## Informations are taken from: Wikipedia
Pssssttt: sesekali berangan jadi model apa salahnya?. Biasanya jadi model untuk blog sendiri je ngeeee. *jadi sila jangan hairan bila tengok banyak gila gambar dalam entry ni,
harap maklum* ~Thanks for reading this (^-*) ~
. 
