Kimono Clothing

Our lifestyles have become very fast paced, leaving us very little time to look after our emotional and mental health. The strenuous and stressful conditions at home as well as at the office are bound to have adverse effects on our appearance, often making us look older than we really are.

Our appearance plays a major role in boosting our self-confidence. Who says that seniors have to wear kimono sleeves in order to hide their aging bodies? Old age should be a celebration of life. It is a time in your life when you can be healthy as well as sensual to your hearts contends.

Institutions surveyed recently including the “Foundation for Integrated Research in Mental Health 2007″ and the “American Psychological Association 2005″, found that “23% of the women executives and women professional” and “19% of their male peers” stated that they always feel stressed out or “super stressed”. In global surveys it has been reported that most of our visits, like 3 out of 5, are for “stress related problems.”

It was also found that 43% of the adults suffer from adverse health effects from work or personal stress. The general estimation of the total office visits to the family physician are due to stress related problems. This all indicates that stress is the major cause behind the early aging of the people and behind other fatal disease like the heart disease, cancer, lung ailment, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and for suicides.

Therefore, controlling the stress causing factors in our lives is very necessary in order to stay healthy and beautiful for a long time.

“We can always reverse our biological age,” said Anti-Aging Celebrity Linda Nacif.

The secret behind such revolutionary ideology lies with Linda Nacif who reflects her refreshing ideas through her statement “stay beautiful, fit and **** regardless of age!”. She firmly believes that the quality of one’s life can be controlled as well as improved to a great extent.

Ms. Nacif is herself 62 years of age but still manages to look stunning and sensual as any sassy new age actress. She believes that beauty can never be skin deep.

“As you age, your true essence lies in your confidence and grace,” Ms. Nacif firmly believes that beauty can be brought out at any age and at any time. She expresses her bold and revolutionary vision by rightly stating, “Who Says That Seniors Have to Wear Kimono Sleeves?”

Linda helps many people each year to kick their stressful ways of life goodbye and helps them stay healthy and beautiful. She is a great conference speaker and her topics revolve around heath and other necessary things that contribute a lot towards being beautiful and **** at any age. Her topics include:

-”Being the Vital Venus”

-”Reinventing Menopause”

-”Thriving for life”

-”Releasing the Diva”

-”Enduring Allure”

All of these offer a wealth of help in the understanding of the “self” and of personal capabilities in order to have a better life. Her inspirational products include various CD’s and books that show an ideal way of life that should be practiced by every person. You can visit lindanacif(dot)com as well as lindanacif(dot)com/products.php to know more about the author and her motivational products.

Free Consultation & Newsletters

So that everyone can experience a great way to live, to be healthy, look beautiful and even feel **** at any age, readers are invited to visit Linda Nacif’s website to experience a wonderful lifestyle through a simple yet free consultation from Linda herself. Also benefit from anti-aging tips and advice from her popular newsletters by visiting: http://www.lindanacif.com/newsletter.php while signing up for a free consultation through http://www.lindanacif.com/coaching.php any time, day or night.



By: Linda Nacif

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Claesens Children Clothing The Pjs Kids Love To Wear

Shopping and purchasing clothes for your kids is fun, but an expensive affair. Many parents end up with excessive expenses and, this is mainly because many parents are not aware of clothing brands, which offer quality kids clothing at affordable prices.

If you are looking for brand name clothing for an affordable price, look no further, for the Amsterdam based company Claesens will take care of all your desires. Claesens offers a wide range of fashionable, affordable and good-quality clothing, which will make your kids stand out in the crowd.

It is worth going through their range of pajamas. There are various shades of pajamas to go with various shirts and tops. These funky pajamas are made in pure cotton and is machine washable making it an obvious winner.Claesens Childrens Clothingare also available in pajamas and top sets, this looks very urban and trendy. Since they are made of cotton, they are very comfortable and relaxing for kids, hence can be worn everyday.

Claesens pajamas comes in various designs, colors and patterns. Stripes, dotted, heart-shaped, are popular among kids. Today pajamas is not restricted to the bedroom. If worn appropriately it can be worn to the beach, supermarkets and during playtime. Therefore Claesens have come up with designs, which look like normal pants and cannot be distinguished. This gives more reasons to incorporate it in the children’s wardrobe.

Claesens pajamas has that certain feel of comfort away from home, since they are loose and never itchy. So don’t feel guilty or conscious when people stare at you or your kid. As long as the child is happy and cozy it does not matter. Besides there is no reason to feel embarrassed asClaesens Childrens Clothingis available in a wide range of prints and textiles – from Mickey Mouse to hello kitty and even dinosaurs prints – something to satisfy every taste.

They look fabulous with slouchy sweaters, T-shirts and tank tops. All one needs to do is select the right print and then let your kid sport their favorite cartoon character or go in for solid color. The options are limitless. What matters is making the right choice and some experimentation. Choose the ones which suit your child’s personality , opt for the cute ones that Claesens have come up with now-a-days.

Children outgrow their clothes very quickly. In case of infants’ clothes, they get stained too soon. With seasons changing a new wardrobe needs to be fixed. Therefore, it best not to go in for expensive clothing if you are hard of cash. So keep yourself updated about Claesens stock clearance sales or annual sales. During these times, you can shop for the next 2 seasons or buy the next size which your kid is likely to get into. Since their clearance prices are downright cheap you can get your dollars worth. Ultimately, you will not have to spend a fortune on quality children clothing.

At times Claesens have offers on pajamas where you can buy two and get the third one free. So make the best of these offers, simultaneously making your kid look stylish.



By: Johnson McBrady

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The country of rising sun, Japan is an extremely advanced country located in East Asia. However, among these advancements and attainments, the residents of Japan have not left their traditions and cultures. Japanese culture and tradition look in their clothing.

Various changes have been seen in the fashion trends of Japanese. Today, with the blend of an assortment of cultures, even the basic kimono has seen a marked difference in the way it is dressed in. The Japanese people are also greatly influenced by their idol. Today, the streets of Japan showcase an extensive selection and mixture of traditional and ultra modern Japanese clothing. There are different types of traditional clothing worn by Japanese include:

Kimonos: Worn by both men and women

It is considered as the national dress of Japan. In fact, Kimono is referred to all types of clothing. In Japanese clothing, kimonos are believed to be the most definitive Japanese garment. They are made of silk and designs are mostly unique. It is worn by Japanese for different festivals as well as occasions. Such Japanese clothing comes in various forms include:

• The Furisode: It is a formal wear that is used by unmarried ladies

• The Irotomesode: It is worn by married ladies

• The Homongi: This type of Kimonos are worn at formal parties

• The Susohiki: It is often worn by the stage performers

The Kimono is a form of traditional Japanese clothing and was worn on an everyday basis till the middle of the 19th century. You can see a number of styles being developed from its basic form.

Hakama: This type of " title="Japanese Clothing">Japanese clothing consists of a wide pleated skirt. It has around seven pleats that are considered as a representation of certain virtues. In the earlier days it was worn by the samurai so that the challenger would not be able to see the footwork.

Uwangi: It is like a jacket that is similar lines as the kimono and worn with the Hakama. You can view the uwangi as a part of the martial arts uniform.

Yukata: It is a part of Japanese traditional clothing and can be considered as a casual version of the kimono. Generally it is worn after bathing.

Junihitoe: This layered Japanese traditional clothing came onto the scene around the 10th century.



By: webline

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Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself. A country vibrantly alive and awaiting the traveler who seeks to experience a culture replete with skyscrapers and bullet trains, of castles and paddy fields lined with rustic wooden homes. What better place to begin your journey within this exotic land than the city of Kyoto. This extraordinarily beautiful city with its abundance of shrines, temples, palaces, gardens, and historically priceless buildings, exemplifies the essence of Japanese culture and history. With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines architecturally still intact, it is one of the best preserved cities in Japan, and a top tourist destination for foreigners and Japanese alike.

One of the most frequently visited sites is the Zen Temple of Kiyomizu. Its wooden veranda supported by hundreds of pillars located on a mountain slope overlooking the region provides an awe inspiring view of the city below. Visitors are also able to stand beneath the temple’s waterfall Otowanotaki and collect water in tin cups to quench their thirst before hiking the mountain path that leads from the structure to the tranquility of the forest above.

Two additional temples which are also popular attractions are Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Construction of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) began in 1397 as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was converted into a Zen Sanctuary after his death in 1408. The Pavilion is covered in gold leaf, and houses sacred relics of the Buddha. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was modeled after Kinkakuji, and is located at the foot of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountains. Built as a villa for Ahsikaga Yoshimasa, (a descendant of Yoshimitsu) the building was also converted into a Zen Shrine after his death in 1490.

Another impressive structure that is a well known tourist destination is Nijo Castle. Located on the eastern edge of a 70 acre compound, the building consists of 33 rooms, and is famous for the intricate paintings of landscapes which adorn the Palace’s sliding doors, and for the innovative construction of wooden floors that squeak like nightingales when walked upon which was employed as a security measure against intruders.

Other memorable sites in and around Kyoto include the “Philosophers Walk”, the Gion District, and Arashiyama, a charming tourist area distinguished by its landmark Togetsukyo Bridge, with Mount Arashiyama standing peacefully in the background. A wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops are located near the famous bridge. If you venture a short distance north you’ll  also come across a cluster of bamboo groves and residential district with several small temples placed placidly among the wooded hillside.

The “Philosophers Walk” refers to a scenic two kilometer path running south from Ginkakuji Temple along a meandering river to Nyakuoji Shrine, and was named after philosophy professor Kitaro Nishida, who could often be seen using the pathway. The Gion District located northwest of Kiyomizu Temple consists of flagstone paved lanes lined with traditional buildings, where if you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of Geisha as they make their way gracefully down the cobblestone streets.



By: James Sherard

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A netsuke (net-skeh) is a miniature sculpture developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Men suspended pouches (inro) on a silk cord from their sash (obi) . To stop the cord from slipping through the “obi”, a small toggle is attached. That small toggle is the “netsuke”.    

Dutchman 

The netsuke referred to in the headline of this article was auctioned at the German auctionhouse Lempertz on 27 November 2004. It was estimated at $60.000,- (Euro 40.000) but was hammered at a sensational US$230.000,- (Euro 154.000). This unusually large (H 5 2/5″) ivory netsuke of a standing Dutchman holding a dead hare over his shoulder which is attached to a gun, dated late 18th Century, stands out by two characteristics: the somewhat caricature-like ****** features and elegant dress, as well as his occupation as a hunter whose bait is an indication of the “South Barbarian meat eaters”.     

Why US$230.000,-?  

The exraordinary hammer price of US$230.000,- for this specific piece can be explained by looking at its history, theme, craftmanship, condition and off course by its rarity. The object made its way over 100 years in famous netsuke collections, and was already publicized in 1895 by the Japonist art dealer Marcus B. Huish. The representation of the Westerner, especially that of the Dutchman in Japanese art (in woodblock prints and netsuke) is a much coveted subject. This because of the striking depiction by the Japanese artists of this “strange” people from another world giving the beholder a very insightful and comic explanation of the encounter of two very different cultures. The unknown creator, it is unsigned, of this particular netsuke had to be a masterful craftsman because of his magnificent eye for detail and its elegant look. The specific subject of the Dutchman is not uncommon but a quality piece in this condition in combination with its age is a very rare find.     

More examples

During the last decades there are more examples of highlights in prices concerning netsukes. On May 1990 at auctionhouse Sotheby’s in London a netsuke of a horse was hammered at US$260,000,- and through an anitques dealer at Oriental Treasures and Points West in Honolulu a netsuke representing a “Awabi Girl and Octopus” (like Hokusai’s famous “Dream of Fisherman’s Wife (Octopus)” shunga design!) was sold at approx. US$250,000.    

Themes  

Netsuke carvers mostly worked in a bounded area of subjects and themes such as scenes of daily life, animals, erotic encounters (shunga), the signs of the zodiac or subjects with a mythical background. Whatever its subject or theme netsuke is a very attractive and highly collectable art form and the interesting pieces will only continue to increase in value.  

Books  

One of the most referred books among netsuke collectors are Lazarnick’s ‘ The Signature Book of Netsuke’ and from the same author ‘Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures’. Both have been issued in limited editions, the first one in 500 copies and the latter in 876 copies. These books are unmissable for the serious netsuke collector. More recommended books on netsuke are ‘Netsuke: The Tokyo Meiko Kagami , Tokyo Living Masters List’ by Shingo Yamaguchi, ‘Netsuke: Fantasy and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture’  by Joe Earle and ‘Expressions of Style: Netsuke as Art’ by Rosemary Bandini.  

Netsuke Organisations  

International Netsuke Society

International Netsuke Carvers’ Association           



By: Marijn Kruijff

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