Kirakira Hime

Kirakira Hime Japanese Name: きらきら姫 Literal Translation: Sparkle Sparkle Princess Released: May 2004 Original Japanese: WWW Right now the summer fashionable selling item is the yukata1 that all the girls love!! It's a waste for just festival days! With the introduction of this series, Kirakira Hime, you are able to enjoy the cool-looking design of the yukata1 anytime!! 今や、夏のおしゃれの定番アイテム、女の子ならみーんなダイスキなユカタ！！ お祭りの日だけじゃもったいない！ いつでもユカタの涼しげなデザインがたのしめるシリーズ、「きらきら姫」登場！！ Characters Little goldfish are flickeringly swimming, and the sparkle of the water's surface is very refreshing. 小さな金魚がヒラヒラ泳ぐ、キラキラの水面はとってもすずしげ。 The multicolored morning glory is a staple of energetic summer. It's even greatly popular in the yukata1 pattern. 色とりどりのあさがおは元気な夏の定番。 ユカタの柄としても大人気。 The summer motifs are scattered around on many paper fans with very colorful polka dot designs. 夏モチーフがたくさんのうちわを散りばめたとってもカラフルな水玉柄。 Absolutely they are at night!! In the sky, the disappearing fireworks and stars are close friends! 夜はやっぱりこれ！！ 空に消えてく打ち上げ花火はお星さまともなかよし！ Images

Kirakira Hime is all about themes of summer and the summer festivals which include goldfish scooping, fans for the heat, and fireworks while sporting yukata of course! The little princess Kirakira Hime reminds me of a kokeshi doll! Kokeshi (こけし), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body has a floral design painted in red, black, and sometimes yellow, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs. The bottom is marked with the signature of the artist. Wikipedia: Kokeshi Japanese Culture 1. A yukata (浴衣) is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined. Yukata are worn by both men and women. Wikipedia: Yukata 2. Goldfish scooping (金魚すくい, 金魚掬い, Kingyo-sukui) is a traditional Japanese game during festivals in which a player scoops goldfish with a special scooper. Wikipedia: Goldfish Scooping 3. Uchiwa (団扇）are non-bending fans and common place during the summer when it is so hot. People will hand them out on the streets with advertisements on them. Wikipedia: Uchiwa 4. Hanabi (花火) are fireworks during the summer festivals or really anytime and includes the big ones in the sky and the little ones that can be set off by individuals. Typically yukata are worn when watching the hanabi or doing hanabi.