After living in Tokyo for what some would consider a terribly long time, it has to be said that the likes of rabbits being taken out and about, and rabid Nazis traipsing about, can become rather unremarkable — run-of-the-mill even.
And yet kimonos, with their resplendent colours and classic cool, could never become that.
Quite the opposite in fact.
David LaSpina / JapanDave says
Great shots! Was this for some kind of event? I fully agree – the sight of kimonos can never get old.
Lee says
Thanks David!
Yes, they were guests at a wedding. Guests of this couple in fact!
MrSatyre says
Great shots!
Lee says
Thanks! It certainly makes life very easy when you have such great subjects.
Stephanie says
For some reason, I think kimonos look great with raven black hair! Loved the 2nd one, but the kimonos looked beautiful anyway. Great shots!
Lee says
Thanks Stephanie!
Linette says
I have to say, Japanese women seem to know how to wear kimonos better than anyone else. Here in the states I have seen many non-Japanese women wear kimonos, but they do not have the same effect. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s a stereotype. Maybe it’s that the stillness, elegance and quietness of wearing a kimono automatically kicks in when your Japanese.
Lee says
Yeah, I don’t know exactly what it is either Linette, but all kinds of traditional Japanese clothing somehow doesn’t seem to look right on a non-Japanese, or at least Western, person. Even in an onsen hotel when I wear the supplied clothing, everybody else looks perfectly ok, whereas I look like some buffoon who mistakenly turned up to a party in fancy dress!
jamesmallon says
The only ‘white’ woman I’ve seen a kimono work on was tall and lithe, notably in hip and chest too. She outclassed even the Japanese women in kimono around her at the event, and was flattered for it. Mind you, these days in N.America, most women (and men) are too fat to look good in any clothing… much less out of it.
andy says
I think the girl in the second picture chose the best kimono for her. She looks very beautiful in it not to mention how the little purse goes along with it.
Now the first picture interests me more however it has nothing to do with beauty. I can see she is feeling something quite coldhearted. Since you mentioned a wedding I can safely assume it has to do with either the couple at the wedding or it has to do with her family but theres no guarantees with speculations. I really enjoy that picture because at that time you took it I can safely assume she wasn’t trying to hard to hide that fact because the people that know her would easily catch on to such a mood. Regardless of that I still have to say she looks beautiful.
I know it’s traditional to show no emotion or a bit of a cold look in pictures for formal events but I can see the difference. She surely is angry at something. I hope she got over it by now : )
Lee says
Very interesting to hear what you saw in the picture Andy.
The poor women were made to stand there for quite a while, as there were quite a lot of people milling about, so the photographer had to deal with the light, the women’s poses and what was in the background. A process that would have tested most people’s patience…
andy says
Well they do say good things come to those who are patient.
hzshitao says
Very nice women…