I got bored and...

[akihito89]

When I get bored, I come up with really cool stuff or I do stupid stuff.  Yesterday, I came up with yet another idea and decided I'd let everybody here give me their input.

I came up with the Idea of a man's shiromuku with big sleeves and all.  If women can wear haori, his shouldn't be too off the deep end.  The primary difference between a man's shiromuku and the familiar bride's shiromuku would be the embroidery.  

I'd replace the flowers and cranes and carriages with mountians, eagles, ships, and other designs that men could wear.  A large dominating design (like a tiger or whatever the theme is) would be on the back, and smaller coresponding designs would be on the rest of the kimono (like a boy's ceremonial kimono).    

I don't think I'd mess with the kimono's demensions much (if at all) coz a shiromuku is so HUGE ;D!

I was bored and came up with this idea.  I don't know yet what a kimono like this would be useful for.  PLEASE reply and tell me what you think.

[Kou Hiko]

Before looking into shiromuku for men, I think a better and smaller step would be to make plain uchikake for men, with short sleeves and plain colors or designs.

What I would like to see first is men's kimono with more designs, instead of the only kimono for men with designs being yukata. We should bring back the old style of men's kimono that samurai wear in the movies.

[Kiyoaki]

Tametori,

How about going one better?

Instead of either the uchikake or the furisode, check out the happi, sobatsugi, and kataginu styles. If you want to go even further, think of the o-sode.  I don't think women can compete with those styles. You don't have to dazzle with decoration. You can impress people with the sheer size of the sleeves.

Kiyoaki

[akihito89]

Did you mean going one step further?  If so, I see what your saying.  

But I still think my idea is cool.  ?

[AndyZ]

Thanks, akihito89. Interesting subject.

I've often thought that it would be great if during a wedding ceremony both the bride and groom wore uchikake as a sign of the joyous, special occasion, when speaking their vows to each other. They need not be worn as usual, but just draped over their shoulders by their attendants... It would be a wedding no guest would ever forget.

So, if only someone would have me....

[akihito89]

I did decide over the weekend that if I were to make a "man's shiromuku" that its application would be for weddings.  It would be worn differently than a bride's kimono.  II'd wear it over the already famous Hakame/Haori outfit.  The shiromuku would be tied with a slightly wider man's obi (the kimono would be open enough to show off the robes under it).  Optionally, I'd have a cord to tie it with too so I can gather the heavy train and not walk on it.  <br>
As far as colors go, the whole outfit would be white or you could go the colorful route.  The well known and loved Hakama/Haori out fit would match the shiromuku or uchikake.

Let's make this stuff and have som fun!!!!!!

[Kiyoaki]

TnT....

If you want something that will bowl people over, check out traditional court robes for men (sokutai). Besides the huge square sleeves, they also wore trains that exceeded 12 feet in length. In addition, there were also those caps with the bobbing hackles (?).

In many wedding traditions, the bride and groom are presented as king and queen undergoing their coronations. In Korean and Chinese traditions, both the bride and groom dress as if theiy were ancient royalty (although the costuming may not be historically accurate).

Even in today's Japan, there is a style of uchikake that emulates the 'juni=hitoe' dress of the Heian Period. These have multiple color layers that show at the hem, and decorative cording that runs down the cuff edge of the sleeves.

What do you think of those?

Kiyoaki

[akihito89]

Kiyoaki-san

I agree,

The Uchikaki and shiromuk with tassles and simulated layers try to emulate the ancient court robes.  In my openion that is very cool.  sokutai should become more popular because I like big sleeves and stuff.  that's the reason I bought a shiromuku last summer.  

Changing the subject....

I'm also using it as a weapon of war against modern clothing.  I take my kimono around and get PPL to wear it.  Exposing PPL to the greatness of kimonos helpes the cause!  Alot of people say they would wear shiromuku and not an un-origenal wedding dress for their weddings.

[chiiyo]

I think it'll be cool if both the bride and groom wear beautiful kimonos (kimono for the bride and hakama with kimono for the groom) and have mathcing/contrasting uchikake draped over both of them, not tied at the waist. I don't know why, it just strikes me as rather interesting.

Or maybe if you want to bring in the "men are more subdued" then you could have the groom's uchikake in a "dull" colour, and the brides one in a corresponding brighter colour but the same motifs.