say_lavie@hotmail.com
Guest
|
Post by say_lavie@hotmail.com on Dec 31, 2001 10:40:56 GMT -5
I purchased a lovely kimono set from you a few months ago.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! I Love it. Just knowing it's mine makes me smile. I wonder if you could share with us information on how to properly take care of our kimonos. I would like to know about proper storage so the condition won't deteriorate. Is there any kind of maintainence that needs to be done? I have a kimono/jyuban set, a beautiful obi & matching cord. I really want to make sure they stay as fresh & lovely as they were the day I received them. Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Daikan on Dec 31, 2001 21:31:28 GMT -5
Dear Anna san
Yes the care of kimono is a big issue. A juban helps prevent perspiration from migrating to the outer kimono. The juban can be washed on its' own, and avoiding the usual process for the finer kimono. After wearing the kimono, hang it out to air for a while. Be certain it's thoroughly dry before it's put away. Folding it, then wrapping it with Japanese paper is best, but any plain wrapping paper might work. The paper allows the kimono to 'breathe'.
Some kimono owners here air their kimono a few times each year by hanging them out. However, avoid exposing anything to strong sunlight for and length of time.
Kimono are not easy to wash, but it can be done. Obviously a professional is the first choice. You can try washing it by hand but you risk uneven shrinkage and skewed seams. These recommendations may not be applicable in all cases because the fabric and combination of decorative techniques will always vary.
Getting professional help is always the best. Barring a traditional cleaning, you could also ask fabric conservators for their recommendations. Some modern kimono can be washed, but the pre-modern ones (and the better quality contemporary ones) are not.
Thank you very much again for coming to this corner!! domo arigatou gozaimanutsa!
Yuka wada
|
|
|
Post by chiiyo on Jan 1, 2002 5:04:23 GMT -5
I read somewhere that there are specialised washi kimono wrappers. Is that what you are talking about?
Lili
|
|
wadasuto@skyblue.ocn. ne.jp
Guest
|
Post by wadasuto@skyblue.ocn. ne.jp on Jan 2, 2002 3:52:35 GMT -5
:DDear Lili san Hello and thank you very much for your mail. Yes, there are washipaper wrapping to store kimono. They say in that paper, kimono can breethe!(They are alive?) We are planning to add washipaper wrappig paper on our corner. hopufully in next month. The cost is probably around $1.5 for each. Today, we had a very little snow! We were very excited but it was gone in about 3min! We hope your red crane juban is on its way or arrived by now. Domo arigatou gozaimasu! Yuka Wada
|
|
|
Post by chiiyo on Jan 3, 2002 8:47:58 GMT -5
I just got my juban today and I think it is absolutely lovely!
|
|
|
Post by bebemochi on Jan 17, 2002 20:49:08 GMT -5
Over the summer i worked at a vintage kimono shop, apparently it is best to get them dry cleaned, but if you have to, make sure you hand wash with absolutely cold water. I didnt know this but moths dont eat silk or synthetic materials, only cotton, linen, and wool. Oh, and if you are going to wear your kimono, it might be helpful to tuck some tissue paper or a small hankerchief into your obi or at the front of your collar which you can use to quickly blot any food spillages and hopefully avoid staining.
|
|
Selphie_chan@hotmail.com
Guest
|
Post by Selphie_chan@hotmail.com on Jan 18, 2002 18:48:51 GMT -5
Hi all ^^ I'm a kimono collector from Atlanta, GA in the USA. Just thought I would say hello to other collectors and other Kimono lovers here on the message board. I've bought a number of kimono from you guys before, a uchikake, and a festival dancing kimono, and a couple others. Before I got my armorie (I can't spell tonight, so please bare with me) I actually used those large plastic storage drawers with the kimonos each wrapped in two or three layers of tissue paper to keep them clean. This kept them away from moths, dust, or other little nasties that could hurt the fabric. Also, it is best if you fold it instead of hanging them on a hanger (for those who didn't know ^^). Some kimono have heavier sleeves, and hanging on a regular hanger can cause the seams to pull when the sleeves hang. *tries to think* hmmm... well, usually I can talk about these things for hours at the drop of a hat, but right now my pathetic little brain doesn't seem to want to work @_@;;. Oh, Yuka Wada, if I may ask... when you get those washi papers in, what would be the maximum number someone could purchase from you? I have lots of friends who own kimono and need something to protect them, and I think they would make lovely gifts or something like that. Thanks so much and if anyone ever wants to talk about Kimono or anything at all, I'm always available. ^^
-Stephanie
|
|
|
Post by LucBorgia on Jan 21, 2002 10:12:46 GMT -5
Hello all! I have another question to ask about the care of kimonos. I have several older kimonos and haoris. When I purchased some of them, they had basting stitches in place...I believe these are called shitsuke. Should I remove these stitches if I wish to wear, or display my pieces? I've been known to wear a haori to work, as long as I know I won't be getting into anything messy. Also, if I am planning to store a particular piece for a long time, should I baste the seams to keep the kimono neat? Thank you very much for your attention to my question.
|
|
|
Post by Daikan on Jan 23, 2002 12:44:22 GMT -5
Dear LucBorgia, We call basting stiches as "nutssuke ". You were almost correct! You should definitely remove those stitches before wearing. However, for a display, I think they could remain. For extended storage we seldom baste garments. We merely store them in " tatoushi " ( mulberry paper ). Thank you for your posting this message again!
|
|
|
Post by Kiyoaki on Feb 17, 2002 3:15:27 GMT -5
Has anyone else tried those home dry cleaning kits they sell in supermarkets?
What kind of results did you have?
I've experimented with them somewhat. It can lighten some problem areas, but it doesn't always work. I guess it depends on the origin of the spot. Also, there is usually some residue left that resembles water spotting.
I was wondering whether 200 proof alcohol or even carbon tetra-chloride might be an improvement. I know they are both volatile and I'm hoping they will leave no new residue even if they have no affect on the stain.
If someone has a chemical background and can respond, it would be a great help. How can I obtain a small quantity of the tetra-chloride to test some samples?
I suppose no one can predict how either of those agents will affect the thousands of natural and aniline dyes that exist, but some warnings might be worthwhile.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Kiyoaki
|
|
joval
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by joval on Feb 23, 2002 12:45:33 GMT -5
About your query re: carbon tetrachloride.......as far as I know it is a prohibited substance being very carcinogenic. Perhaps I can find an answer from a drycleaning source. Joval
|
|
joval
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by joval on Feb 24, 2002 12:42:02 GMT -5
Hi again, Because I was looking for information on the treatment of stains on silk I have found these resources: www.srfabrics.com/care/silk.htmwww.chemistry.co.nz/stainwww.howstuffworks.com/homedrycleaningkitsSilk & Clean Cleaning Pads The general concensus is to try plain cold water first in small areas not seen to test the fabric. Silk tends to leave a water mark so start with a cotton bud working towards the centre of the stain from the outer edge. Put your fabric over a bowl of cold water and dap small amounts onto stain. Then dip into bowl and dry off with a pad of absorbent material, tissue, paper towel etc. If you have no luck then go onto spot remover, or diaper cleaner( sodium per carbonate) weak solution, rinsing between attempts. Sometimes a soak for a few hours ( only apply to stain and do not allow to dry out). Water mark removal seems to be to rewet the area and dry with a hair dryer. Hope this helps. Joval
|
|
|
Post by sayuri on Feb 27, 2002 16:36:23 GMT -5
Has anyone found a resource for cleaning antique (e.g., edo/meiji era) kimono in the US? I know there are textile conservators who clean antique textiles generally, but I wondered if anyone has had experience with one who handles kimono in particular, including possibly taking apart and reassembling if necessary?
|
|
|
Post by Kou Hiko on Mar 8, 2002 6:17:35 GMT -5
I must give my two cents on kimono care. ;D
Always clean your hands before touching kimono. Wash your arms, feet and neck before wearing. Oils in your hands attract moths. I recommend 3 handkerchiefs. One of lace or silk for an accesory when sitting. A large white one for your lap when eating. And one for wiping off dirt when getting in and out of cars.
Hold sleeves when reaching for things like food at the table. You can get full lenth rain coats for kimono when it's raining. (I plan on making my own soon.) Wada-san said to hang and air it out after wearing. I do this every time. Also you can brush it with a cloth to get off dust. Do this in the direction of the weave.
I heard that for stains you use benzine but to clean the whole area and not just the spots because benzine sometimes leaves stains.
For mud, try letting it dry and then brush it off with a soft brush and rub it with velvet along the weave.
Learn to fold the kimono properly. "The Book of Kimono" tells how to fold everything. Store them in paper wrappers and, if you can in a closet or chest of paulownia wood because it keeps at a constant temperature.
When folding obi, put rolled up paper or cloth in the folds so that it doesn't crease.
Thats all I can remember right now... (I'm doing alot of posts in one night--It's now 3 AM!)
|
|
|
Post by Misti on Aug 6, 2002 10:46:37 GMT -5
Hi, The Book of Kimono; The complete guide to style and Wear. by: Norio Yamanaka ISBN 0-87011-500-6 Kodansha int. Hope this helps, amazon has it, ebay some times, yen price was :3600yen +/- $18,95
Misti
|
|
|
Post by Misti on Aug 6, 2002 12:35:14 GMT -5
Hi ZaphodB42 , I am not sure if I untherstand correctly,(sorry my English is insufficient, it is only my second language). But no, it is a book written by I Japanese kimono teacher, it is mainly usefull to dress yourself. (proparly according to the modern kimono schools). Liza Dalby's book on kimono is: KIMONO; Fasioning Culture ISBN9 0-295-98155-5 I bought it last fall and than the price was $24.95 Is more for culter and background. Misti
|
|
|
Post by chiiyo on Aug 7, 2002 8:52:18 GMT -5
The Norio Yamanaka book is better to know how to dress oneself in kimono. He gives instructions and diagrams for dressing in both the female and male styles, including tying the shell knot for kaku obis, the soft knot for heko obis, and the taiko bow for fukuro obis. He also has tips on folding, storage, appearance, manners when wearing a kimono. It's a very well illustrated book.
The Liza Dalby book is more of a historical and academic discussion on kimono. She has a very complete history of kimono, including different styles, how it came to be, influences from the outside. Later on she also describes different kinds of kimono, such as the mingen or the folk kimono, how to wear, some essays on modern kimono, and a substantial section on Heian colours. It's a very good read for comprehensive information on kimono.
I would also recommend John Marshall's Make Your Own Japanese Clothes, not just for people who want to be able to make their own kimono, but after I've throughly read through the book, I'm more familiar with the construction of the kimono and the parts of it.
I have all three books, and I recommend buying all of them.
|
|
|
Post by chiiyo on Aug 8, 2002 9:31:05 GMT -5
I believe there is a topic called Bibliography. Most of the books mentioned here are first listed there, that is why nobody really specified which book it is.
|
|
|
Post by Haruko on Nov 25, 2003 13:45:33 GMT -5
These are great suggestions! I plan on getting both of those books. I was wondering though, what about obi? I remember seeing somewhere the proper way to fold an obi (into a hexagon shape) but does that cause those "folding lines" in some older obis? Is there a better way to store obi other than having them hanging up around my room? Thanks to anyone with a little insight on this!
|
|
|
Post by Kiyoaki on Nov 25, 2003 21:04:36 GMT -5
Haruko,
Most people fold their obi lengthwise. If you wrap them in the washi wrappers made for kimono, you could halve the length and then fold the doubled layer into thirds. The fewer folds the better and a 'z' fold is preferable to a 'c' fold. Some people even go to the extreme of unseaming the entire obi and putting it back upon it's original roller, and resewing it for each use.
A woman's maru- or fukuro- (I may be treading of thin ice here), and a man's kaku-obi (I'm on firmer ground here) are usually stored by simple folding.
A Nagoya obi is a bit different because of it's shape. At the point where the width is reduced by half, the narrow portion is folded at a right angle to the obi's length. Next, the narrow end is folded double and refolded like an accordion, without exceeding the nominal width of the obi. When that process is complete, the exposed length is wrapped round the previous windings to form a compact bundle.
The heko-obi can either be loosely rolled or folded to suit whatever storage device one uses.
I thrust everything's been covered. If I'm mistaken about my details, please correct me.
Kiyoaki
|
|