Cultural experience day

Sunday was a trip to the Kyoto Prefectural International Centre to have a look at their Cultural Experience Day. The place is a bit odd as you have to go through a department store to get to it... but anyway it was a chance to do some traditional Japanese stuff for free, so why not?

First getting dressed in a kimono.... felt like having a corset on, must be more comfortable for those who are thinner....

It did take a while to put on an had a number of different parts and accessories, the result - warmth.

Then on to origami making...

This is my attempt - it is supposed to be a retriever dog.... the teacher was a little surprised at my choice of paper (it should be a plain colour I suppose)

Then we got involved in some Japanese dancing.... no photos of that, at it is just as well! Kind of dancing that geisha and maiko do... but is really for people with better co-ordination and grace.

Then onto temari ball making. Temari balls are traditional gifts in Japan - they are made from thread and some have very intricate designs. Check out this link:
http://www.temari.com/

Grand show-off photo(!) with example balls behind, note the small efforts in our hands...