Construction Details:

The white hikizuri (trailing skirt) kimono is a vintage dance piece that was a super lucky find; it has silver snowflakes all down the skirt and sleeves. It's the only part I didn't make. I did make a hiyoku layer (second layer for the skirt, to mimic the look of wearing layered kimono) as the kimono didn't have one originally.

The sheer uchikake (sometimes referred to as a 'hagoromo') is covered with hand-couched silver cord in traditional snowflake patterns. Some of the snowflakes have a second layer of organza (cut out with a woodburning tool) appliquéd on.

The obi is silvery-grey crinkle fabric with an overlay of two layers of white organza with shiny threads sandwiched between.

I waffled a lot about whether to go for a more simple, pre-Edo style outfit with straight hair and narrow obi worn low (like in Kwaidan) or a fancier Edo style with wide obi and updo. Since my lacefront wig didn't arrive in time, I ended up doing a combination. I felt confident doing this since I had recently seen a Kabuki play in which eras were mixed in this way (Edo-style kimono dressing mixed with much older hairstyle).

Personal Thoughts:

Another costume I've wanted to do for years; Yuki-onna is one of my favourite folktales from Japan, ever since I first saw Kwaidan. She's a snow spirit that freezes hapless travellers to death.

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