folding

[GOK]

See what I mean? Ha - try folding a tribble! lol

 

[LaMedicine]

Well that's just showing off, that is! lol

OK, so I just couldn't resistlol
Crane, iris, penguin, fox and lotus.

Actually LM, perhaps you could answer me a question? Why do ladies' kimono have the gaps between sleeve and body but the men's don't? Is there a particular significance or reason for it?

I read something about that not too long ago. I looked around for the particular book, but can't find it right now, so just from my memory.
The sleeves of women's kimonos were attached to the bodice originally, the sleeve length being shorter than it is now, and this type of design is called "kosode" meaning small sleeve. Um, by length, I mean vertical length, all kimonos have sleeves to one's wrist.
During the Edo era (Tokugawa dynasty, 1603-1867) the sleeve of women's kimono became longer and longer (and also the sash became wider and wider and longer and longer) and what is present day furisode, the kimono with sleeves that are floor length, worn by unmarried young women, developed. The sleeve of kimonos for married women became longer too, but not as long as the furisode. It was longer by about 5" before WWII than it is now, actually. With such long sleeves, of course, it's impractical for the sleeve to be attached completely to the bodice so, the sleeve was attached only partways. The gap in the bodice also developed along with the elongated sleeve, probably to make it easier to move and deal with the long sleeve, and for ventilation, as the sash for women were actually broader than it is now--the part of the sash that goes around the waist is folded in half now, but originally, it was wound around full width which is about 12"
As an aside, the sleeve of the under kimono that peeks with movement from the sleeve's gap is considered sexy (the lining of the hem that shows when we walk and the hem flips, the ankle that peeks when going up stairs, the forearm that peeks from the sleeve with movement, and the nape are the other subtle peek-a-boo sexy points) so kimono connoisseurs will devote as much, sometimes even more, enthusiasm in choosing fabric design of the underkimono and collar, as with the kimono and sash. lol

 

[GOK]

Oh wow, thank you for that LM - that was very informative. As someone that works with clothing, I'm always interested in learning about customs of other nations.

The little origami figures - are they purely for decoration or are they napkins? They're very sweet; thank you for posting that image.

 

[LaMedicine]

Origami are basically children's play things. We are usually taught by our mothers, or in kindergarten. Some things we can play with, like balloons and boats. Others are often used as decorations.

The crane is often used as a good luck item. Fold 1000 cranes and your wish will be granted. So, we often hear of friends and classmates getting together and folding and making a chain of 1000 cranes for a friend who is seriously ill, or for the school team competing on the national level. As the crane is also a symbol of peace, chains of 1000 cranes are often made for peace events or decorated at peace memorials, too.

 

[olive bleu]

[QUOTE="Doc" Devereux]I would! lol[/QUOTE]

yup. me. too. In fact, i believe i did

I have nothing to hide...well not in the linen closet anyway.My talents lie elsewhere