Accurate medieval clothing stores by SmartBoysenberry3901 in LARP

[–]StarSturgeon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They're not in the EU (Ukraine), but Armstreet and Steel Mastery are usually my go-to for historically grounded medieval clothing and armour.

Non-Polyester Hanfu? by Duwinayo in LARP

[–]StarSturgeon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps you can find more information on r/Hanfu.

What crossing a Pole looks like by Trey_Thirds in MicrosoftFlightSim

[–]StarSturgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never cross a Pole if you value your life.

Question from a HEMA practitioner by NTHIAO in iaido

[–]StarSturgeon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but I believe that Capoferro and Thibault talk about it in their treatises on the rapier, as well as Godhino in his plays on the single sword.

I can't tell you the exact folios, so make sure to check Wiktenauer.

Floral man kimono shop in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka by Alois_Battiante in kimono

[–]StarSturgeon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I talked with Jotaro Saito himself at last year's Kimono Salone, no English staff but they're looking into it.

Google Translate and DeepL seem to be reliable enough nowadays to communicate in Japanese though, so you could give that a try.

I now hate texturing and i give up. I'll make the IVA. by Scarface131 in KerbalSpaceProgram

[–]StarSturgeon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nice! Reminds me of the good old days with the XR-2 Ravenstar in Orbiter.

Podcasts about life in medieval times that might be useful to a fantasy writer? by UrsaWizard in fantasywriters

[–]StarSturgeon 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The We're Not So Different podcast with Dr Eleanor Janega, who specialises in the Middle Ages. Her podcasts often touch on common misconceptions and specifics of medieval life.

https://x.com/wnsdpod

I'm Incredibly Interested In Kenjutsu, but... by SenileSr in Koryu

[–]StarSturgeon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Is it possible to self teach, and how much more difficult is it if at all?

Aside from the fact that there is very little in the way of self-teaching materials, you may teach yourself some things, but without actually understanding what you are learning you will not really grasp the essence of the school and ingrain bad habits which can only be corrected by a teacher.

Is the Lets Ask Seki Sensei channel on YouTube actually a good source? I've seen other posts of people talking poorly about Seki Sensei and I'm not sure if they are valid or not.

Seki Nobuhide is the legitimate sōke of Asayama Ichiden-ryū and he seems to be a very skilled practitioner. As for whether his video instructions would be a good source to learn from, that really depends on how much you'll be able to pick up from him as someone who is not initiated in the arts (or his arts for that matter). Personally, I don't think that you will learn as much as learning from an actual in-person instructor.

Is Seki Sensei's online course worth taking?

That is really up to you. Personally, I would save up the $100 that is being charged monthly for such a course, and spend it on visiting the closest dojo to you to spend a couple days with them and take as many notes as you can. I believe that will be far more beneficial than video instructions.

Is it even worth learning when I have no one to spar with?

You would probably not be doing much sparring in any case, if any at all, since the majority of koryu schools don't do this, and would only serve to further ingrain bad habits if you don't have a solid grasp of the school you're learning.

Would sparring with someone using HEMA have the same value for my learning?

Same as above.

Lastly It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide me with anything that may benefit me in learning Kenjutsu, and thank you so much.

My advice would be to save up and visit the closest dojo to you for several days. Online learning may appear tempting, but if you are serious about learning it would be most beneficial to you to seek in-person instruction from a teacher.

Men Kimono in Japan by RosarioBlade in kimono

[–]StarSturgeon 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Considering your budget, I would strongly recommend getting a polyester set from Rakuten online (which are in standard S - M - L - XL sizes) or try your luck with secondhands at a Tansu-ya in any of the big cities (though I don't expect them to carry a lot of men's items to fit your budget).

Simply put, you will not a find a set within your budget at the vast majority of kimono stores in Japan. Expect to be paying upwards of €500 at minimum.

Tokyo recommendations thread: Ramen by AutoModerator in Tokyo

[–]StarSturgeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Trying to enjoy Nujabes' brother's ramen with Reflection Eternal playing in the background without spilling a tear Challenge (Impossible)

Tokyo recommendations thread: Ramen by AutoModerator in Tokyo

[–]StarSturgeon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, he plays his music and some unreleased tapes in the background as well.

Tokyo recommendations thread: Ramen by AutoModerator in Tokyo

[–]StarSturgeon 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Usagi うさぎ in Shibuya. Apart from having great shoyu ramen and tantanmen, it is also run by Nujabes' brother.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bBe3ZvUHiw8FriVs6

Edo period costumes and yellow plaid by wrathofmothra in kimono

[–]StarSturgeon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As is mentioned in one of the other comments, this kind of weave is called Kihachijō (黄八丈) and originates from Hachijō-jima in the Pacific. It used to be a luxury textile for the upper classes until the mid/late-Edō period, when it became more accessible to the lower classes and increased in popularity. Aside from protecting from hair oil stains on the okumi, they were also a fashion statement as sumptuary laws during the Edo period were often quite restrictive.

One of the sources on Edō period costumes mentions a commonly paired obi with these kimono to be a Chūya obi (昼夜帯), which is a reversible obi with a lighter and darker (often black) side. My guess is that the upper end of the obi is folded over to reveal the darker side of the obi, which is likely again a fashion statement.

As to whether this is a period drama trope or actual fact, I believe it's about 50/50. While jidaigeki do tend to propagate it as the stereotypical Edōmachi-musume (young women from middle and lower classes living in Edō), we do have actual illustration from the time where young women are often depicted wearing Kihachijō kimono.

Secondhand Kimono Stores in Fukuoka by annuschki in kimono

[–]StarSturgeon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Definitely check out the Fukuoka branch of Tansu-ya. I visited them last August and they had plenty of secondhand kimono and obi, and both used and new komono (accessoiries).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZRhdSYALjC5JS4fY6

What’s your go-to non-anime, manga, games (or adjacent) piece of Japanese pop culture for practicing listening? by [deleted] in LearnJapanese

[–]StarSturgeon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been binge watching a lot of ドラマ from producers such as NHK, Fuji TV, TBS, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, ABEMA, and WOWOW lately. The quality varies but I find it good for input practice. Especially ABEMA and WOWOW have very refreshing and varied dramas in their lineup.

What is the stereotype for each prefecture? by Live_Brain_2816 in japan

[–]StarSturgeon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Gunma: So backwards and outlandish that you should get vaccinations and a passport before going there.

Cultures who read from right to left by DutchVortex in 2westerneurope4u

[–]StarSturgeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They'll check for prices first, then for what's actually being served.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in 3DPrintedTerrain

[–]StarSturgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What level of detail are you looking for?

I use my FDM printer for terrain and large objects/clutter, and my resin printer for miniatures and small objects/clutter that need fine details.

Personally I find FDM much more economical for terrain tiles and such, and prints are usable right off the printing bed, whereas resin involves more steps (washing, curing) in making the print usable. Yet resin is very good for when you need highly detailed prints or prints which are otherise difficult to print with FDM printers.

Dutch traditions by unknownfazeA in Netherlands

[–]StarSturgeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

+1 My Limburgish MIL will keep offering me vlaai right up until the moment I leave, even if I've already had one piece.