On July 12th, the International Center had a Star Festival Activity. The Star Festival is a holiday celebrated August 5,6,7. Sendai is known for their celebrations and the Tanabatas that fly high above the city as visitor's come from all over to see these amazing pieces. Look up Japanese Star Festival on google and you will see some samples of Tanabatas. During this time "wishes" are attached to pieces of bamboo and miniature tanabatas are placed alongside. The wishes are like prayers that the people want to have answered this year. At the International Center, I had the opportunity to wear a Yukata (summer Kimono). The above picture is me with the other ladies who were serving the tea ceremony. The one lady 2nd in from the left was so funny. She just got such a kick out of me in my ensemble. She just loved it and went on and on about it to my friend, Ms. Abe, who was translating the whole to me. It made me laugh.
This is the bow that was tied to the back of my Yukata. I could never reproduce this bow. The ladies go to a special training class to learn how to tie Kimono bows.
This is Paula Lutze and I. She was so funny b/c she has all her clothes on underneath her Yukata. The ladies couldn't find a way to explain that she would be given undercovers to wear to stay modest. Me, I just was lucky and the lady helping me gave me the garments first to put on so I had no problems with changing everything. The undergarments reminded me of light linen/cotton slips.
This is the front view. Not a lot can be said about it. The colors were so pretty. We didn't have many choices. Paula is petite in American standards but in Japan the ladies are so much smaller. There were only a few Yukata's that would fit our more "ample" frames....if you get my meaning! : )
This is my finished "wish". I wrote my name. My "wishes" go straight to God so no need to write them down and put them on a tree....
This lady was so good to show me how to write in Japanese. The strokes are pretty precise or the words/sounds change.
This lady was performing The Green Tea Ceremony.
On July 12th, the International Center had a Star Festival Activity. The Star Festival is a holiday celebrated August 5,6,7. Sendai is known for their celebrations and the Tanabatas that fly high above the city as visitor's come from all over to see these amazing pieces. Look up Japanese Star Festival on google and you will see some samples of Tanabatas. During this time "wishes" are attached to pieces of bamboo and miniature tanabatas are placed alongside. The wishes are like prayers that the people want to have answered this year. At the International Center, I had the opportunity to wear a Yukata (summer Kimono). The above picture is me with the other ladies who were serving the tea ceremony. The one lady 2nd in from the left was so funny. She just got such a kick out of me in my ensemble. She just loved it and went on and on about it to my friend, Ms. Abe, who was translating the whole to me. It made me laugh. 
This is the bow that was tied to the back of my Yukata. I could never reproduce this bow. The ladies go to a special training class to learn how to tie Kimono bows.
This is Paula Lutze and I. She was so funny b/c she has all her clothes on underneath her Yukata. The ladies couldn't find a way to explain that she would be given undercovers to wear to stay modest. Me, I just was lucky and the lady helping me gave me the garments first to put on so I had no problems with changing everything. The undergarments reminded me of light linen/cotton slips. 
This is the front view. Not a lot can be said about it. The colors were so pretty. We didn't have many choices. Paula is petite in American standards but in Japan the ladies are so much smaller. There were only a few Yukata's that would fit our more "ample" frames....if you get my meaning! : )
This is my finished "wish". I wrote my name. My "wishes" go straight to God so no need to write them down and put them on a tree....
This lady was so good to show me how to write in Japanese. The strokes are pretty precise or the words/sounds change. 
This lady was performing The Green Tea Ceremony.
