Archive for the ‘Kimono Dreamers’ Category
The folk stories and Oji Inari Shrine
The unique festival ‘The Fox Parade’ was held on 31, 2015 in Oji.
We joined the annual New Year’s Eve event and celebrated the New Year.
We gave “Kitsune-Girei” to Oji Inari-shrine with children called La-Fox (Byakko-shu). (The “Girei” means a festival rite.)
Inari shrine is dedicated to a god who looks after the grain. Most notable are foxes in Inari shrine.
There are folk stories and beliefs that every new year’s eve, many foxes gathered from the eastern part of Japan and visited to pray Oji Inari shrine which is the head shrine of Inari in Tohoku and Kanto area.
The story was actually drawn by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1857.
(The picture on the left)
We walked in a lantern parade and waited for the foxes from the eastern countries.
The foxes from Togoku 33 countries (the eastern part of Japan) arrived and moved forward slowly.
It was just like the traditions and Hiroshige’s picture.
You can join this lantern parade if you put fox make up or a mask and dress up Kimono.
Everyone, from child to adult, enjoyed this festival.
There are another traditional and famous festival in Oji. It is the first Horse Day Festival at Oji Inari shrine in February.
We, Kimono Dreamers, will also join the festival and dedicate our dance to gods in the shrine.
The festival is coming up this weekend 6th February!
Come to see us if you have a chance!
Mass-Trans Innovation Japan 2015
On November 11th to 13th. We took part in the Mass-Trans Innovation Japan 2015 as a receptionist in Makuhari Messe.
We joined a variety of enterprises and introduced their products to the visitors.
We were very outstanding while many people in business attire come and go.
Some people asked why we wore kimono as they passed. Another people asked for photo with us. We were very grateful for the visitor’s response.
The company intended to impress customers by kimono receptionist. Many people became interested in that booth. Some staff said that this also lead to an image improvement of the company.
We differentiate ourselves by offering services in Kimono. It was well – received. We would be very happy if there is anything we could help with.
We will continue to devote ourselves to the heart of hospitality.
Thank you very much for this opportunity!
A “Kitsune-no Yu-suzumi” report
“Kitsune no Yu-suzumi” event took place in Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo.
“Byakko-syu” invited us to join the event and we participated in that for the first time.
It was rainy unfortunately and the weather turned got worse than weather forecast, but we kept going through the street around the Oji-station: from Asuka-yama to Oji Inari-shrine.
We gave “Kitsune-Girei” to Oji Inari-shrine with the aim of the event. The “Girei” was like a march but not like soldiers’ steps, very quiet, less actions, and slowly. We chose the theme of the “Kitsune-Girei” from an anecdote, “The Fox Marriage”. You might be able to find the bride in the picture.
Besides the solemn procession, “Byakko-syu” never stopped the dance to bounce up and down with light steps. “Byakko-syu” was organized people who have a strong will to take over the belief in “Oinarisan”. Many elementary kids are active in that.
On the Asuka-yama stage, the performance began from “The dance of foxes”
and “kitsune-girei”,
also “The Mother and The Daughter Fox”, Japanese dance, performance introduced with Makoto and Tsuge’s song and play.
We gave the “Kitsune Susumi-Girei” at the Oji Inari-shrine in the rain finally!!!
“The Mother and….” played again in front of the cafe. The pedestrians stopped walking and watched the play in the rain.
~Movie~
We really appreciate to the people involve the event and thank again for the invitation to the festival in Feb 6th, 2016.at Oji Inari-Shrine. We are going to see you again on the day.
Akabane Bakamatsuri (Festival)
The Kimono Dreamers turns foxes at Akabane Bakamatsuri (festival)
We joined the parade for Akabane Bakamatsuri (festival) under a blue sky in spring.
The event held every year in Akabane, Tokyo. There is a live performance, dance show, hero show and free market.
The main tourist attraction is the parade. This parade consisted of a student, a member of society club, musical band, dancer and people in costume. Thousands of people with portable shrines and floats paraded through the city.
We took part in the ‘Kitsune no nigiwai (fox gathering)’. We had 69 foxes in all.
↑Ouji byakkoshu (white fox team)
Our costume was tomesode (originally formal attire). We also created the fox masks ourselves
We found a fox bride in other team. It looks completely fox’s wedding in fairy tales.
What a wonderful photo this is!
Amazing fancy dress of ‘Kawagoe kitsuneshu’!! They invited us to this event. It was great opportunity for us. Thank you so much!
One of our members (Anzu) got a prize during the parade. Thank you very much!
The festival and parade attracts 400,000 visitors. It has long history and is loved by the local people.
Check this movie (youtube)
We are happy to contribute our humble efforts to the prosperity of a town and shopping street through events or parades.
Thank you so much for this opportunity
My Japan (Gong network)
We, tsutahu project, joined the movie shooting for web programs “My Japan” in the Gong Network.
Under the cherry blossom in full bloom.
First of all, Kimono Dreamers dressed up one of our members and explained all about kimono.
The reporter, Mr. David, said that kimono and cherry blossom surely match, and both of them are really beautiful.
I guided them to the famous cherry blossom places and talked about sakura and Japanese culture.
First, we went to Ueno Park. The cherry blossom in Shinobazu-no-ike has graceful branches. The view is really picturesque.
The weather was really nice that day and sakura was very pretty. I couldn’t help but taking pictures of them.
Then, Shinjukugyoen was the next our venue. What a busy schedule!
We made a film of the opening scene there. I had to do an unscripted interview without a rehearsal…
The last shooting place was Chidori-ga-fuchi.
We were so exhausted after the long walk. Finally, I made the closing remarks. It is secret what I said until it will broadcast.
By the way, I am wondering how they translate my comments into French. That is very curious…
It might be the first time that I admired sakura in full bloom, and also walked down the street with thinking about like “Well see…. what kind of sakura is this?”
I thought that Sakura is beautiful again. I am so glad to hear that reporters from France considered the cherry blossom and samurai as symbols for Japan.
One of our missions is to introduce Japanese culture to many people. Therefore, we are very happy to join the program. Thank you for this opportunity, David-san and Yoann-san!
