Odamoto And The Love For Snow
Last request asked for a deeper insight into Odamoto's fabulous blue snow hiki. And to be honest, i didn't remember this one, even though it indeed has become iconic too. Even though snow hikis are usually a crown jewel in many okiya's collection, there is only so many ways to make a gorgeous thing even more beautiful. But i did feel bad having forgotten about this stunning piece, it shouldn't have happened as it can be considered a vital part of the success of the picture above. But also because it was worn by legendary Katsuno back when she was one of the most popular Maiko of her time.
And this image rose to fame, Katsuno showing her sleeves, lifting her arms like an aliferous being in this magic setting and striking lighting. We see her in one showstopping piece: Royal blue with a tranquil winter scene, soft and fluffy piles of white snow quietly mounting on delicate branches along an icy shore. Some hints of color are provided by pink plum blossoms braving the pressure of increasing weight on them, the early messengers of spring representing the sturdy beauty of self reliance. Bamboo also adds some pops of fresh green here and there but they too are dusted with the crisp white of snow.
In between the first photo of Katsuno and the ones on the bottom of Katsutomo and Katsuhina, we see almost two decades pass. And a very enduring motif indeed, as it seems almost unchanged throughout a whole generation. Some things are built to last, aren't they?
But these are not the same hikizuri. Katsuno wore one very beautiful one and sadly i have not managed to find any other photo's of Odamoto's Maiko wear it.
Katsutomo and Katsuhina wear a new one with a very special twist: Kinkaku-ji castle or the Golden Pavillon has made the landscape recognizable, now we know where the scene is set: Built on a large pond on Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex in northern Kyoto, the gold leaf clad structure attests to increasing Buddhist influences at the beginning of the Muromachi period. After Yoshimitsu's death, the compound was turned into a Buddhist temple and the whole strolling gardens around the temple dedicated to Zen.
When visiting the Golden Pavillon visitors will usually take a tour around the gardens with various stops to view the castle from different angles. So the view we enjoy on the hiki is very true to life as there is indeed a perspective with the lush pine tree, just like on the kimono too! And even though many people visit the sights of the Kinkaku-ji in their lifetime it is safe to say that not many get to view it on Odamoto's amazing snow hiki in person.
Sources: Kofuji / Kyosanpo / Yuyumi310 / Yuko Sakata / 森康信
