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Goro's Caretaker Costume: Shrine Maiden-esque

 My brain has ping-ponged into all aspects of this costume and for now I'm looking into how to make the Shrine Maiden Costume. I am utilizing all my experience with making kimono and kimono-like costumes to make this.

Not really futzing much with the original look. 
 

Design Considerations

  • Accuracy with some flare
  • Making room for puppet arm vs regular arm
  • Simplifying the design so it's not a hassle to wear and keep on (I hate having to worry if my pants will slide off or something.)

Pieces/Layers

Juban/Undershirt
For style points, I'm making this red. The "Puppet" arm may need extra consideration such as an opening in the Juban sleeve at the front or under the arm. I could also do this for both sleeves so I can switch primary puppet arm if I wished. 

Kimono
This will be a plain color or small patterned top with semi-detached sleeves. The left sleeve will be the primary "puppet sleeve".  The length of the kimono will only come just above the knees...to save fabric.  The obi will likely be a wrap belt of some kind to provide security. 

The sleeves will thankfully be much shorter than my furisode. Attaching them in such a way so as to leave the tops open is taking some research.  

Hakama
I had some preconceived notions as to how I would approach this piece. I thought I would make  umanori hakama (trousers) but instead I'm going to make it Andon Bakama (pleated skirt). This simplifies the sewing process a bit which is nice. But I will be doing a little koshiita (backboard) with the little tag to tuck into the obi. Measuring and drafting the pattern will still be a challenge. I've screwed up fake hakama measurements before. But I do have multiple pattern/guides to use this time around. Since hakama are mostly big rectangles. 

Mask
Going to make this from paper mache using THIS tutorial: 
I will need to come up with a design to paint on it. I have a few ideas:
Fiddling with colors.


Footwear
Zori would be preferred. I have white tabi already, but my current zori are very uncomfortable between the toes. I could fix this by removing the stupid plastic protection tube. But then again...I do have a pair of geta with white straps which are much more comfortable oddly enough. But I LOVE getting new shoes. 👠

False Arm
I've been stewing and storming about how to accomplish this from ignoring the problem altogether to only using wire or something. 
I do have a duct tape dummy of my arm currently which could be repurposed. I've also consider using a pool noodle and wire or making a stuffed glove. I think stuffing a nylon stocking or one of my opera gloves will work well. But where and how to attach it!? More research is needed. 
(BTW: Thanks to watching another video I found this resource from Dapper Cadaver. It's a bit pricey IMO, but definitely a resource.)

Baby Sling
This is an optional thing but it can help with the false arm too. I want to make a kind of hammock style sling to wear and hold up the puppet like a baby hip sling. I may make a crescent shawl for this. I could then pin the sleeve to the sling to help hold up the puppet so it's not all on my puppeteering arm. 

Colors
Unsurprisingly, the color scheme has been nagging me. At first I figured just red and white like a Miko maid but then I got to playing around with colors and even coming up with backstory for each color theme. I want to make this potentially autumn colored or themed after flowers. I've come up with a few versions. I like Rose thematically for the backstory I associate with it. But I also like the idea of apple as a departure from typical sakura patterns which ties nicely into Goro's backstory and my own being from Michigan. (Cherries are also important to Michigan, but I prefer apples. Also, it suits the month of October to have this seasonal fruit.) 
I made much more than this.

So that's where this costume is at right now. Stuck in planning purgatory. 
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