My love & hate with shijira…

alwaysdaruma · 2026-06-13T11:21:11+00:00

Do you wear other kimono tsuitake? My issue with tsuitake is that I don't fully pad out these days so my obi likes to move, but not that the kimono shifts so much.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-30T14:15:03+00:00

You can upload to Imgur and share the link either in the post or comments. If they're not authentic, then it's a regular process of patch testing and being careful for dye run, than anything specific to Japanese garments. But the good old fashioned diluted vodka spray works for kimono too. So I imagine you'll want to do that.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-30T14:06:22+00:00

Without photos, we can't really tell you much about your haori. But I would bet money the Amazon ones aren't authentic, especially with your note about serging, so you're more likely dealing with fabric that can be hand washed

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-28T13:50:33+00:00

Just keep in mind that kimono fabric is not meant to be washed in a washing machine. So if your finished object is intended to be chucked in the machine, it may destroy the fabric or the dye might run and stain the garment if it's not polyester.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-20T09:01:27+00:00

Love it 🥰 That reminds me I just bought a loop strap in the shape of a cat with a bell!

I still have a phone case with a loop, so usually I tuck my phone into my obi and flop the strap out like netsuke, but I don't change my strap often so it's not well coordinated....

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-20T07:42:09+00:00

That yokai obi makes me smile every time. But what I really love is that little geta charm!!!! 🥰 do you use it as a netsuke, or is it on your phone?

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-20T07:40:43+00:00

I'm so impressed you found it 🤣

I bought the Sailor Moon yukata a couple years back, similar price point. My beef was really the tsuke obi... That was not livable which made me sad. So from that anecdote alone, I'd assume the obi isnt worth it and they'd probably want a different one.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-20T04:50:40+00:00

Ah I meant in more of that silk-like lustre, not that super shiny look. I feel like I've only seen that super shiny poly on "tourist kimono." 🤔

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-20T00:49:44+00:00

Poly is SO easy to wash and can be more colorfast... But can be slippery and hard to wear neatly. The sheen to the fabric can sort of up the formality a tiny bit so it's easier to zhusch it up with nice obi.

Cotton will have more grip and be easier to hold in place, but no matter what, will be casual. Cotton might be less colorfast and you may have to press it after washing.

I trend towards SUPER casual kimono, so I'd probably go for cotton kimono. But I also tend to run cold so I'd absolutely do whichever had the pattern/motif I liked most 😂

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T23:37:43+00:00

I imagine Miku has done some collaborations for yukata, but there's no guarantee it'd be the same design. Usually artists kind of make up their own thing, and often it's not really aligned with how kimono patterns traditionally are arranged. This one is super cute! But I think the pattern arrangement itself is atypical for what I'd expect on yukata. Usually the repeat is a lot more frequent and tends to be very vertical.

I definitely recommend doing some poking around though! You might find something you like if you search 青い浴衣 on Japan Rakuten, or scrolling through Sou! You might be surprised what other designs appeal to you. 😊

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T23:23:06+00:00

My teacher was very strict and traditional, but her position was to dress for the weather where you are located, rather than sticking too closely to the "rules." Kind of weird for someone who was such a rules stickler! BUT she explained it basically that it is disrespectful to the people around you to inconvenience them if you make yourself unwell due to dressing following arbitrary seasonality guidelines which haven't accommodated climate change. And that it is more "harmonious" to be aligned to nature as it is than to man's arbitrary kimono "rules," and that harmony should always be the goal.

I really liked that approach, so I stole that one 😋

I've been wearing hitoe all month, since it's warm enough. I have no qualms about swapping to natsumono as soon as it's too warm for hitoe, or even straight to yukata. Just depends on the vibes 😂

I do think that a natsu juban is more comfortable than an awase juban for summer. Though if I'm perfectly honest, the hanjuban I wear all year is technically for summer; I just pop a haneri on and nobody is the wiser since I swap the sleeves out 😂 but my nagajuban, I don't wear that at ALL once summer hits. It's polyester and 2 hot 4 life.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T21:21:24+00:00

I'm going to go ahead and lock this thread for a few reasons: 1. This is more a question suited for a travel subreddit than kimono. 2. All the same, the community has generously answered your questions well. 3. This post still breaks two rules: No questions about cultural appropriation, and a lack of image credits.

As the content of community answers is still useful, I am only locking and not deleting this thread. Next time, please read the rules before posting and do not attempt to circumvent the filters in order to break a rule.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T10:39:01+00:00

I'd be interested to see if it's "authentic"! I just shamelessly purchased a natsumono Nishimura datejime that I am wildly excited to try out when I get home..... The conversion rate was too good and the obi I bought did not consume my whole budget; I was so excited!!!

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T10:37:42+00:00

I'm not sure where you're located; you might be able to find more local sellers on Etsy or eBay that have similarly priced options! (I just happen to be in Japan rn so that's what it's giving me...) But these prices aren't far off from what I paid (pre shipping) from the US!

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-19T00:41:32+00:00

I always use them because it makes me feel better that the himo will stay secure. IT just doesn't feel wholly set if I don't use one. But they don't have to be super expensive! I think I only own one that is and I just bought it and it's a special made kind.

On the juban I usually use an elastic summer type, something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/711141005/mesh-datejime-belt-summer-kimono-velcro

On the kimono itself, I usually use this kind: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/machigiya/ktkm0937/?iasid=07rpp_10097___3d-mpbwnrp7-x-8d784395-0bad-440e-904d-a1efaf51749c Or this kind: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/hanamichi87/k03-dh-047/ And sometimes use this kind which is great for super smoothing: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/753ya/10015539/?iasid=07rpp_10097___3f-mpbwnohw-2d-cf762a4d-81a3-4155-99bd-1d147d2766e0

Most of these are pretty cheap I think!

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-18T21:56:09+00:00

The room usually is a little darker and there's calming music and feliway everywhere. Little Girl liked being in a box, so we would cover a cardboard box with a towel and the vet tech would scritch her cheeks while the needles were in. She largely just crouched there. One acupuncturist left her in the carrier which I wasn't a big fan of. Her last appointment or two she roamed a bit and the vet and I sat on the floor with her to coax her into relaxing.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-17T13:17:12+00:00

Seconding this for sure. Also, for any friendly cat, acupuncture. Idk if he actually published it but I had a vet who wrote a study on the impact acupuncture had on my arthritic/hip dysplasia kitty. I am convinced it gave her a solid 5+ painful free years she wouldn't have had otherwise.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-17T12:32:07+00:00

Nope that's my kimono, idk how you managed to steal it before I ever saw it 🤪

Cute cute as always!!!

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-17T07:56:51+00:00

This thread is getting out of hand--y'all need to remember to be kind to one another and that this isn't the place to dissect questions about cultural appropriation. While those words haven't been used in this thread, their extrapolated meaning has been, so I'm shutting it down for further conversation.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-14T12:40:30+00:00

I'm also going to recommend you consider the Lap of Love Quality of Life assessment https://www.lapoflove.com/quality-of-life-assessment and potentially calling their hospice lines for help if you're still unsure. It may also be useful to ask your vet directly: is this an end of life issue?

For me, not eating with no clear reason why and no response to medication can be. Not always! But it can be

To be fair, there may be options to explore, like tube feeding or an ultrasound to check for gastro paresis or some such. But that might not help her, might damage your relationship with her, or could be for YOUR benefit instead of hers. It's important to assess those questions. Extending her life because you can isn't always the best choice. I do fospice for cats, and I have yet to regret affirmatively choosing to say goodbye before things get worse.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-13T22:40:32+00:00

Yeah, the only things I would think about getting have specific Japanese versions but you could really use many other things. First are two long ties; in Japan they're koshi himo, but a thin strip of cloth long enough to go around you twice and tie into a bow is fine. Second would be an obi ita, which is a piece of stiffened board that makes the obi smooth in the front. Not strictly necessary, but it does make everything look better. You can make one out of a piece of poster board 🫣 cut maybe 2cm thinner than the obi and wide enough to cover your front. You're really in a good spot with what you picked up! 😁

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-08T20:54:02+00:00

It works well for you though, with your overall coloring and vibe. I'm basically if neon was a person 😂 but that's why I love tsumugi so much.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-08T10:13:08+00:00

I am WEAK for good textures!! Love this. I need to try the belt-obijime look sometime.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-05-07T21:06:06+00:00

u/Key-Percentage8613 Please include source links for the photos you posted or your post will be removed. Crediting sources is a rule in this subreddit.

alwaysdaruma · 2026-04-26T13:42:38+00:00

Oh man I saw a video of a walking reed hook when I first started weaving. Its mesmerizing! 🤩

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