Why it's wrong that I want this outfit

[gurdymonkey]

Screenshot of Mieko Harada as Kaede, from Kurosawa's Ran. http://www.kurosawamovies.com/gallery/main.php

Well, for one thing, Kaede is the Goneril character in Kurosawa's adaptation of the King Lear story to feudal Japan. I'm not all sweetness and light, but she's way meaner than I am. 

For another, see the triangles all over her kosode? That's a serpent scale motif, traditionally used in Noh costumes worn by the Hannya, a woman who is turned into a demon by her own jealousy.
https://eee.uci.edu/clients/sbklein/images/NOH/nohmasks/pages/surihaku.htm shows two examples of snake scale Noh robes.

Lastly, she dies in it.

It's still freaking gorgeous though.

Comments

[saiaiko.livejournal.com]

Sister, wear it! Lady Kaede is my absolute favorite. There is often talk of commitment to a purpose in bushi living, but rarely is it so exemplified as in her complete devotion for revenge. She, alone, accomplished from within what armies failed to do from without. Demon, or her darker Buddha nature?

In any case, if I were you, I'd make it and wear it. Very similar to Marquise de Merteuil in 'Dangerous Liasions', "And I've succeeded because I've always known I was born to dominate your sex and avenge my own."

Not just no, but hell no.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

1. It used to hurt me no end that my father used to refer to us jokingly as "Goneril, Regan and Cordelia" and I was Goneril by default because I was eldest.

2. While I know what it is to treasure a grudge, I made a vow to do battle with my inner asshole and win, some time back. The struggle will no doubt continue to my dying day.

Besides, it's MUCH more fun to win hearts and minds with charm, erudition, and a kick-ass onigiri recipe.

3. I'm kuge.

You make it and wear it if you identify with her. I don't.