Though I’m not sure about the exact nature of the source, there exists a great site that has a fully-modelled isometric map of Shanghai. As an irrational map fanatic, the fact that it has a Sim-City level of detail to it is ever more charming. Even more so that someone was tasked with rendering every pixel of Shanghai, down to the last structural detail.

This coordinate owned by Kushigiku okiya (Shimabara) is for tayuu, and is currently being worn by Kikugawa. 

The hikizuri kimono is red with with embroidered branches, peony and plum blossom motifs. This particular shade of red, called kurenai, is one of the forbidden colors that commoners were not allowed to wear in the old Japan. Tayuu were known to be very flamboyant, so they probably started wearing kimono in this color to flaunt their high status, which is equal to that of a daimyo. It’s called a hikizuri, meaning to drag along, because of the length of the kimono. They are 200cm long and have padded hems meant to create weight so that the kimono will trail beautifully behind the wearer.

The maru obi has bamboo leaf, peony, pine tree and hanabishi motifs. Peonies are auspicious due to their association with buddhism, and pine trees symbolize longevity because of their ability to live for hundreds of years. Please notice how the obi is tied in front; something that is now done exclusively by tayuu.

Over the kimono and obi is an ornate robe called an uchikake. This black uchikake has pine tree and kimono motifs. One kimono has plum blossoms, another has kikko and seigaiha, a third has hanabishi, karakusa and paulownia. It’s the first time I see kimono used as a motif, so I find this to be very interesting. While uchikake are beautiful, they are also heavy and cumbersome. If I had to compare the feeling of wearing one to something, it would be piggybacking someone. Everything a tayuu wears weighs 30kg, but you’d never guess it from her finesse.