I’ve been gravitating toward documentation any time I feel down about this project. The research makes me happy…specifically learning things makes me happy.
Very specifically, I’ve been trying to track down a source for a bit of knowledge rattling around in my head. At one point I knew the name of the particular floral lozenge pattern that is seen on the hitoe of the modelled outfit from the Costume Museum. I swear I learned what the pattern was and that all hitoe use that same pattern. I have yet to come across that tidbit again so I can document it properly. Grr.
But I found something else.
I found another late Heian period (second half of 12th century) image of an ichime-gasa! In one of my own books no less. You can see the image here. It’s a section of Lotus Sutra that depicts a street scene, specifically the market in Heian-kyo (now Kyoto). On the far left of the image in the link above, under the calligraphy, is a woman wearing an ichime-gasa with mushi no tareginu. This same fan actually depicts 3 of the hats, only one of which sports curtains. I’m thrilled.
It’s also fascinating that the lady depicted in the center of the image is wearing her robes over her head and wearing geta. The same outfit at the Costume Museum wears zori. A fair number of the people pictured are actually wearing geta. Geta are wooden thong sandals, frequently with 2 ha or teeth protruding from the sole. Zori are thong sandals that are made of some other material, modernly foam or rubber. This is a modern definition that I can not certify as accurate for way back in the Heian period though, so take it as you will. Hats and footwear.
When at once it seems / the darkness overtakes us / and all hope is gone, / revisit the beginning / find yourself in what you lost.
