What Makes a Kimono Special?

[Kiyoaki]

Dear Kou-hiko & Akihito,

You both seem to share strong feelings about the preservation of Japanese dress. Some of the points you raised about cutting up fabric for quilts will find many supporters.

However, there is another side to that debate. I've created another topic heading called "2nd Gempei War" on the message board, so that both sides can express their ideas in one place.

The "Heike" I have designated as the 'preservationists'. The opposing "Genji" represent the 'conservationists'. You are invited to take sides and express your views there for more comment and to rally support for your cause. If you want to do some role playing as well, you can do that too. This can be both fun and a serious discussion.

For the present, we await the emergence of a Genji captain to champion the conservation side of the discussion. Although the Genji eventually won the war and established the first permanent "Bakufu", our war of words can never end in personal defeat. As long as you perservere, the debate goes on.

Abe no Kiyoaki,
Dainagon

[Midoria]

I first fell in love with Kimono when I was 14 years old. I live in a suburb of Washington D.C., so fine museums like the Smithsonian are right around the corner and free!

They had a special Oriental Art exhibit and my art teacher took my class to see it. In the Japanese art section they had 10 or 12 Kimono on display in glass cases. I remember very clearly! I had to step back because you could not see all of the design if you stood too close. I remember staring at them for a very long time! I could not breath and I had never seen anything like it. My teacher got very impatient with me because my class kept moving and I was still standing there with my mouth open.

I had two favorites. One was a sunset scene. The grass was on the hem of the kimono and went to the knee. The sun looking over the hills started at the middle and the rest was purple, pink, and orange to represent the evening sky. The other was a snowstorm. White with different shades of blue swirling around the Kimono.

I still dream about it!  

[LucBorgia]

    What lovely stories from everyone!  It's always interesting to me how people get hooked on kimonos.  Maybe we should start a "My Favorite Kimono" thread...but then again, I can't decide which of the ones I have is my favorite and I suspect many others would have the same problem.

    Although, if pressed on the issue, I'd have to say my favorite kimono is whatever one I'm currently waiting to arrive in the mail.  

    Whenever I get a new kimono, I leave it out where I can look at it and admire it for a week or so.  Then I carefully tuck it away in its washi, so that it can be kept safe and sound.

    It's amazing to me the wonderful condition of some of the older garments.  I love my Taisho pieces, and I hope I look as good as they do when I'm that old!   ;D

    It may seem silly, but I feel a certain sense of responsibility to my kimonos.  Someone had the garment made, and then took meticulous care of it for many, many years.  I feel I should continue to do the same.  

[Kiyoaki]

Lucrezia et al,

I don't think I ever really answered this question properly. At the risk of repeating myself, I must also add the dimension of actually wearing a garment, __ before I could call it 'special'.

It is one thing to see something that engages your eye, and it's a second step to feel and pour over the details of the decoration. Then, if the circumstances allow, next comes the enjoyment of studying the construction and puzzling out the details of the decoration and weave. Yet, until I actually wear it, only then does it become special.

Perhaps the act of dressing oneself mystically transforms the garment from an intellectual experience into an emotional one. After all, you can then experience the garment in a way that may not allow you to even look at it. Even when you use a mirror, the reflection only enhances the transformation.

I don't think any of us that wear wafuku, can remain completely indifferent to this psychological change either, and perhaps this is the part of the experience many of us seek. Yet, there is the greater dimension of the social ocassion to consider as well. Because I can recall and relate the times and places where I have worn these garments in public, I have a richer experience of the garment than would otherwise be possible.

I feel like I've fulfilled the intent of the original wearer and thereby come closer to sharing in the rich tradition of wafuku that way. If I only played 'dress-up' at home, I'm certain my enthusiam for Japanese dress would be greatly muted.

Kiyoaki

[Rachel_gs]

Kyoaki,

I agree with you completely. There are several levels on which to enjoy a kimono, but the most intimate is wearing it.  Looking at the beautiful textile and designs is wonderful, enjoying the way the silk feels to your fingers is excellent. But by far the best experience is gently pulling the kimono over your shoulders and feeling a sense of gentleness and sophisication come over you.
Owning a kimono is great, but wearing it is absolutely wonderful.  I cant wait for A-Kon this year! Im going to spend the entire weekend in kimono!

-Rachel


ps
Akon is an anime convention in texas(www.a-kon.com)

[fraise]

Hello everyone,

It's so interesting to read all of your stories. I would like to share mine, "why I love kimono." Five years ago I became interested in an anime ("Sailor Moon"), and as I watched it in Japanese, I became very interested in Japanese culture. Yes, it's supposed to be a children's anime, but somehow it got me interested in this way!

So I began to read some Japanese literature (Murakami, Mishima, Tanizaki), and learning the language and culture basics on internet. This way I found Ichiroya, by luck! As I grew up in a family of skilled seamstresses and embroiderers (all of my women ancestors, including my living great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother), I was immediately amazed by the fabric and craftsmanship. So I wanted to learn more about kimono! Being too poor to buy my favorites on Ichiroya , I decided to sew my own cotton yukata and woven-fabric obi, finding some free patterns and instructions on internet. I've worn it twice, to the Nice Carnaval (in France, where I live now)! If anyone is interested, this website is good for a kimono pattern:
www.marquise.de/ethno/japan/kimonopat.shtml

For me, kimono are special when the design and colors are beautiful, and/or the craftsmanship. Japanese women are very lucky to be able to wear such works of art. I'm thankful for finding Ichiroya because your photos are so excellent, that I can enjoy looking at the details of kimono even if I am too poor to buy them! (I'm saving to buy one soon though! ) Learning about Japanese fabric crafts has also opened a new world for my sewing, since I enjoy Japanese-inspired designs - they're close to nature and have a clean beauty that's very expressive, in my opinion. Before this, I had stopped sewing for some time because I didn't very much like geometric quilting, and was bored with embroidery. So now I read Japanese sewing magazines like "Handmade Nuno", and use Japanese embroidery and fabric folding in many of my projects! But I am really a true beginner in Japanese embroidery... it's so difficult, I'm always amazed at embroidered kimono and obi. It's clear craftspeople have spent much time and attention on them.

All because I found kimono! (no worries, I will never buy a kimono to cut up for my quilts   )

[Kiyoaki]

Dear Fraise,

I'd encourage you to also look into 'sashiko' quilting techniques too! There is a domestic tradition of quilting, which you may find inspirational, and that is within the reach of everyone.

Then there is 'sakiori', which is a technique that is loosely akin to 'hooked rug' making in the West (at least insofar as the materials that are employed).

Keep digging into Japanese fabric traditions.  Don't stop at contemporary trends. They are not the 'be all' or 'end all' for any of these traditions. Don't forget, the kosode's origins reach back to the 9th century of Japan's history. Even it's use as an exterior garment still goes back to the 17th century, so there are some 300 years of exploration waiting for you.

Kiyoaki

[Kiyoaki]

Tina, you may not get direct answers to your questions, but this topic has a wealth of personal insight.