Kabuki In London

On the 10th of this month I went to a kabuki show in London, it starred the famous kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI performing Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees). So I thought it was a ample opportunity to go in kimono. I was torn between going super formal or super casual as I've made a vow to actually wear everyone of my kimono at least once before buying a new one (that's failed btw, more on that later). The choice was either go in a iro tomesode (the one shown below) tho I would have been WAY to formal.

Or to go in a komon, however I don't think I have a obi that matches.

I wanted to go in the iro tomesode however I thought as there were going to be other japanese people in kimono there, I'd best play it safe. as luck would have it I remembered I had a tsukesage floating around in  my collection that I hadn't worn yet. So after much digging I finally found it.

I remember buying this kimono when I first started buying kimono but for some reason I never got round to wearing it. When I started to try and match it with a obi, I could see why. After much deliberation I decieded to call the in the big guns, the IG members. Originally I had paired a black obi with a fuji motif and a pink obiage, however the others felt that a yellow obi and obijime/age combo would work the best, and they were right. So without further ado here's the pics

  

As for the play itself, it was great! especially the audience, in particular these two old guys who were having a shouting match (you can do that in kabuki I believe) to encourage your favourite actor. 

Now thinking there was going to be more people in kimono at the event, imagine my surprise when I get there and find out I'm the only one in kimono! Hell no one was dressed even remotely formal, all suits and jeans. 

I did have someone come up to me speaking japanese when I was having the above photo taken, man I haven't had that that happen to me in a long time. I think thats because usually I'm with the girls and I direct them towards April's way (she can speak japanese). 

Now I have a confession to make, I absolutely hate this kimono! There nothing wrong with it, it fits me and all but for some reason Im just not liking this kimono. I know your going to say it beautiful and it is, but for some unknown reason I just don't like it. It's like with the red parasol I traded with Priscilla, I hated that thing! nothing wrong with it, just hated it. I think my tastes have changed over the years and since I've started to sort out my collection, I realized I have way to much and it needs a cull. So this kimono going on the "to sell" pile along with 40 other kimonos, obi etc.