New Year and Kimono Purikura

Happy New Year everyone! Last year was a bit of a busy one for me so I’m hoping 2014 will be kinder and give me more time for fun- including this blog of course!

It’s traditional in Japan to go to a shrine or temple in the first few days of the new year (hatsumode/初詣) to pray for a good year to come, and to give back the amulets from the last year for proper disposal. Many people wear kimono for the occasion.

My friend is interested in kimono and has learned how to dress people properly- not everyone in Japan can do it! She dressed me and another friend for the visit.

Anyway, I thought I’d show a collection of kimono purikura as it’s a nice mixing of traditional and modern Japanese culture!

New Year’s Purikura

If you have the chance there are some easy poses for kimono. If it’s New Year you can pray like in the first photo.

Just standing is fine because the kimono are the focus…

From the back to show off your obi…

With your arms out to show off the pattern of the kimono.

Others

Coming-of-Age Ceremony Purikura

There’s a special ceremony for all people turning 20 in the year called seijinshiki/成人式 . Many people wear kimonos for this.

Many gyaru and girls into alternative styles wear oiran/花魁 (courtesan) inspired kimono, these are usually off-shoulder with obi tied at the front. There’s a mixed reaction to these girls from the public. Anyone can do oiran and maiko (trainee geisha) photo-shoots at some photography studios as well.

Of course you can still have a traditional style kimono and show off your own style as well.

 

In Kyoto Purikura

Kyoto is famous for it’s traditional temples and atmosphere so some people will wear a kimono when they go on a trip to Kyoto.

Graduation

Some girls wear kimono for their university graduations, as do some mothers.

Just Because Purikura

Although it is quite unusual to see, some people wear kimono for no other reason than they want to.

This woman has awesome style, the check kimono with the hat, gloves and heels looks great!

These are from the same woman all very stylish too!

 

Kimono are also often worn during a wedding ceremony (either the whole time, or as a change of clothing part way through) but obviously there’s not much purikura of bridal couples!

Well, there we have cute purikura, beautiful kimono and a bit of culture for you!

Happy New Year!