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Post by Otani Harukojoou on Jun 5, 2008 22:19:10 GMT -5
I was reading through "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon", and she mentions a few sorts of jewelry that they have on hand, or that she has seen used. For example, the hair pins that fall out when carts go through the gate, and rosaries of rock crystal or jade (well, rosaries aren't really 'jewelry', but it would be something that they would carry that wasn't made of fabric or paper).
What other sorts of things do you suppose one would keep on hand? I know that jewelry wasn't used much in later periods, and that most women wore their hair long during this period, but perhaps, is there any other sort of embellishments besides robes that one could wear?
My research has come up with little information, and anything that one could contribute would be wonderfully helpful.
Ootani Harukojoou
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Saionji Shonagon
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 5, 2008 23:42:25 GMT -5
It's all about the textiles, baby! Seriously, look at the clothing of that period. I have heard numerous ladies say, "Oh, but I'll feel like I'm drowning in all that." Jewelry is just going to get lost in those yummy acres of silk. A fan. Hiogi (cypress) for formal occasions, a sensu (paper) for informal ones. Juzu (prayer beads). Possibly a hirabitai (hair ornament) for very formal occasions, though I suspect this may be reserved for Empresses. I'm honestly not sure, as this example is supposed to be an Edo period interpretation of formal karaginu mo and. www.iz2.or.jp/fukusyoku/kosode/images/112-a.gif |
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Post by Otani Harukojoou on Jun 6, 2008 12:16:20 GMT -5
Haha, Thanks for the reply! Yes, it was the acres and acres of fabulous fabric that drew me to this era in the first place!! It was a question out of a desire to make something, and also out of need-- I'm one that has a fairly good helping of nervous energy at any given time, so I'm prone to fiddle. I'd rather fiddle with my prayer beads than with my hems.  Thanks again for the direction~! -Ootani |
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Saionji Shonagon
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 6, 2008 13:44:57 GMT -5
It was a question out of a desire to make something, and also out of need-- I'm one that has a fairly good helping of nervous energy at any given time, so I'm prone to fiddle. I'd rather fiddle with my prayer beads than with my hems. Wear enough layers that you need to keep your fan in constant motion.  Yes. Really. |
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Post by Otani Harukojoou on Jun 6, 2008 14:16:45 GMT -5
Ha, Brilliant.  Yes yes, the fan is something I've kind of stalled in making-- I've seen examples of the cypress ones, and while they are gorgeous, it's a bit daunting of a task....The paper ones are lovely too, but I've heard that most of the paper ones that you can find are not appropriate-- They're more like the modern day dancing fans, aren't they? Thanks again~!! |
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bovil
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Post by bovil on Jun 6, 2008 16:01:11 GMT -5
The paper ones are lovely too, but I've heard that most of the paper ones that you can find are not appropriate-- They're more like the modern day dancing fans, aren't they? The construction of modern folding sensu is not as period-inappropriate as one might think. The decoration is usually the problem. You can't go wrong, though, with plain white, or white with a band of color at the edge. Hinomaru (sun-disc) fans are also fine; IIRC larger fans with one plain side and one hinomaru side were used to convey signals across the battlefield. I've got a white sensu with a red "dipped" edge, a hinomaru sensu and a beautiful (but probably very Edo) white/pearl geometric with gold and red edging and red ribs. If you want to be really industrious, you could pick up a plain white sensu and decorate it yourself. |
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Saionji Shonagon
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 6, 2008 17:16:14 GMT -5
Ha, Brilliant. Yes yes, the fan is something I've kind of stalled in making-- I've seen examples of the cypress ones, and while they are gorgeous, it's a bit daunting of a task....The paper ones are lovely too, but I've heard that most of the paper ones that you can find are not appropriate-- They're more like the modern day dancing fans, aren't they? Go to my website. While my crappy homemade fans are crappy homemade fans, I did actually find some examples of the sorts of paintings decorating fans in period. www.wodefordhall.com/sensu.htmI really need to decide WHAT I want to paint on Hiogi 2.0 so I can finish it.... |
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Post by Otani Harukojoou on Jun 6, 2008 18:52:26 GMT -5
If you want to be really industrious, you could pick up a plain white sensu and decorate it yourself. This is a fine idea, I think! Heian fans are more the style of the wing of a bat, right? Not the carved sandal-wood variety? Thank you Makiwara for the link to the webpage! I'm really inspired now.  I'll do my best to kick the hubby out the door and make him take me to a crafting store. See what I can come up with!! |
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bovil
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Post by bovil on Jun 6, 2008 19:11:57 GMT -5
This is a fine idea, I think! Heian fans are more the style of the wing of a bat, right? Not the carved sandal-wood variety? As Saionji-dono posted, there are two types of fan. The Hiogi is a folding "brisé fan" made of cypress slats, much like modern carved sandalwood folding fans, only a lot larger. (assuming the SmugMug URL doesn't change) Saionji-dono is holding one hereThe Sensu is a paper folding fan. They're a bit more difficult to make than it might appear; they're actually designed so the pressure of the ribs keeps them closed. Bokunan-Do (the shop I linked) isn't the cheapest supplier around, but their products and customer service are excellent. |
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Post by Imagawa Tadamori on Jun 6, 2008 19:41:52 GMT -5
I really need to decide WHAT I want to paint on Hiogi 2.0 so I can finish it.... In Kanji: "This is the smackity fan. There are many like it but this one is mine." < ducks out of range of said smackity fan and runs off, laughing > - Imagawa |
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Post by Noriko on Jun 6, 2008 19:46:00 GMT -5
House of Rice has some good fans too. I don't know if they will lay flat enough for one to paint on them though. I have one and it holds up pretty well though it's starting to look a bit ratty. www.houserice.com/9whitepaperfan.html |
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Saionji Shonagon
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 6, 2008 20:22:15 GMT -5
Let me tell you a little story, Norie-hime. Effingham-sensei, upon seeing this photo, commented, "The fan is wrong." www.wodefordhall.com/Makiwara.jpgThat's all he said. He didn't tell me why it was wrong - and I ended up spending a great deal of time researching WHY that fan is wrong. ;-D |
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bovil
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Post by bovil on Jun 6, 2008 20:43:30 GMT -5
House of Rice has some good fans too. I don't know if they will lay flat enough for one to paint on them though. I have one and it holds up pretty well though it's starting to look a bit ratty. I'm with Saionji-dono. While those are fans, they're not anything resembling sensu. |
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Post by Noriko on Jun 6, 2008 20:49:49 GMT -5
*Salutes* Ok, you're the boss! ;D That's just what I use since I haven't gotten around to making one myself. I have a feeling if I would did, I would end up with a cruddy looking fan and fewer fingers... Trust me on this one |
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Saionji Shonagon
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Jun 6, 2008 20:52:09 GMT -5
While those are fans, they're not anything resembling sensu. Actually, that IS a sensu. It's just not the same style as the ones that appear to have been used in our period. In the meantime, I'm waiting for this beauty to arrive SAL from the nice folks at kofudo.... All the "geesha" wannabes bid on maiogi and nobody wanted this stunning kawahori, so I won it. i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/f0/bf/216b_1.JPG |
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Yes. Really. 
Yes yes, the fan is something I've kind of stalled in making-- I've seen examples of the cypress ones, and while they are gorgeous, it's a bit daunting of a task....The paper ones are lovely too, but I've heard that most of the paper ones that you can find are not appropriate-- They're more like the modern day dancing fans, aren't they?
I'll do my best to kick the hubby out the door and make him take me to a crafting store. See what I can come up with!!
