Ukitake-Stand My Ground

Stand my ground, I won't give in
No more denying, I've got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground

-Stand My Ground by Within Temptation


Strictly enforced by the copyright pterodactyl with big teeth!

I've made fancier and more beautiful cosplays since I made this one, but Captain Ukitake has a special place in my heart because he was the first cosplay I ever completed. Oh, I made several before him, but there is an arbitrary set of requirements in my mind that a costume must meet before I can comfortably call it complete, like whether I can feel comfortable acting in-character. I completed most of my Ukitake cosplay over the course of a week in Spring 2010 when I had the flu. Which was oddly appropriate.

In terms of construction, there is nothing particularly awesome. It is worth saying that the patterns for the kimono and haori were the first patterns I drafted completely myself...although this would have been unnecessary had I been smart enough to use the internet to find one of the many *free* kimono patterns x3

My hakama had to be lengthened before I did this photoshoot because I have gotten a little taller since I made it. The fabric never held pleats very well :/

I just bought the wig! Before I take Ukitake to another convention I will restyle the bangs. Maybe add some white glue so they stay in place. I know Ukitake's hair gets in his face, but it drives me absolutely crazy to have wig hair in my eyes. Sorry!

This is the only cosplay to date that I've actually made shoes for. I wove them out of strong hemp twine on a specially shaped loom made with cardboard and sanded down nails.

I am still trying to get mud from this photoshoot out of my shoes and tabi socks T_T

Photoshoot location: Camp May, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

Bleach and Captain Ukitake are (c) Tite Kubo