cut up or save kimono

[Kou Hiko]

I'm really looking forward to what you all think. I've never done a poll before so this sould be totally messed. If so, forgive me, it was worth the try.

And if you have no idea to what this is about, check out the heading The 2nd Gempei War. And to those who may have been scared away by our discusion, please understand that we weren't trying to hurt anyone's feelings. It was made clear in the begining that everyone is right on how they feel and that there is no wrong way to treat kimono. What we do to our kimono is up to us and we should continue to express our own artistic flare with our kimono however we want to do it.

I don't want anyone to feel bad that our views on kimono conflict with eachother. I accept it, even thought it pains me so, I can't stop it, as hard as I try and as much as the thought hurts me, kimono are going to be cut up.

If we could, I'd like to restart the Gempei discusion, without all the hard feelings. If we could come to understand our differences it could be a very rewarding discusion.

In the meantime, I look forward to the results!
Bye-bye

[Kou Hiko]

I'll be the first to reply to my poll. Guess what I picked - wear it of course!

The choices are kind of hard to read, but oh well.

[Alan]

Dearest Kou Hiko.

I doubt very much whether there could be any hard feelings. After all, by lively discussion we can inform ourselves and learn one another’s viewpoints.
Personally I am against even cutting up modern kimono. Just think, in about a hundred years from now, our descendants might well be discussing the merits of cutting up kimono dating to the year 2000! I have ‘salvaged’ kimono once or twice before, but only when there is no way it can be used or displayed. (I know that a lot of people are against displaying kimono, but as a man, the only way I can enjoy gorgeous furisode, ushikake and such is by displaying them.) Besides, as much as I would love to wear kimono, I am far too tall! I have found a nifty way of displaying kimono when I have guests. I put one on my bed (a large antique Chinese canopy bed). This reminds me of Heian times when people used kimono as bedding. It looks great and puts no stress on the silk. After my guests leave, the kimono is folded and stored.
I do believe that a magnificent example of, for example, yuzen is just that. Magnificent. Regardless of stains. People have lives and as we age we also develop ‘stains’. A beautiful kimono with a stain or two is still beautiful. It proves that someone has worn it and that it has ‘had a life’. Perfect and unstained old kimono is about as rare as an old Rembrandt with no cracks or patina. This does not make the painting any less valuable, so why should it affect the enjoyment of the kimono?  

[Hoshi]

I just bought a 10 dollar kimono that is in need of a lot of repairs. Heh, you get what you pay for, unfortunately.

I'd simply stitch it up or wash it, depending on the condition, then wear it or display it.

[Kiyoaki]

Hiko,

I can't cast a vote because the survey only allows for one response. My choice would depend upon so many elements that any answer I'd give would be contradicted in differing circumstances. So, my vote is yes in all cases. On the whole I'd generally opt for the practical [i.e. find some use for it].

Kiyoaki

[sg715]

I say, Wear it!

I have the most gorgeous furisode that has this teensy little stain on the sleeve...I couldn't imagine someone cutting it up!

[Sue]

Even damaged, the kimono will have a beauty(and hidden history) of its own. Do wear them!

Kou said:

I'm really looking forward to what you all think. I've never done a poll before so this sould be totally messed. If so, forgive me, it was worth the try.

And if you have no idea to what this is about, check out the heading The 2nd Gempei War. And to those who may have been scared away by our discusion, please understand that we weren't trying to hurt anyone's feelings. It was made clear in the begining that everyone is right on how they feel and that there is no wrong way to treat kimono. What we do to our kimono is up to us and we should continue to express our own artistic flare with our kimono however we want to do it.

I don't want anyone to feel bad that our views on kimono conflict with eachother. I accept it, even thought it pains me so, I can't stop it, as hard as I try and as much as the thought hurts me, kimono are going to be cut up.

If we could, I'd like to restart the Gempei discusion, without all the hard feelings. If we could come to understand our differences it could be a very rewarding discusion.

In the meantime, I look forward to the results!
Bye-bye

[Kiki]

Whether I would display, wear, or cut up a kimono would depend on the amount and size of the stains (or holes), and the designs on the kimono.

I have a beautiful furisode that has a rather large stain..coffee i think...on back. Its normally covered by the obi when I wear it, but its rather prominant when its displayed. I tend not to notice the stain when it's displayed, so it doesn't bother me that much. Also it is a beautiful furisode....I could never imagine cutting it up!

I am actually looking for a kimono, something I could wear around campus or out to dinner, that actually has some stains on it...(but hopefully not too noticeable!). I would hate to ruin a perfect kimono if I wore it out, and would feel less guilty if it were already stained.

But there are some cases where the kimono is so badly stained, that I think cutting it up would be worthwhile. It would be a way to preserve the beautiful art and silk of the kimono, rather than throwing it away like it is rubbish. You can make beautiful pillows to display in your home, and clothes and other things out of damaged kimonos.

Of course, everyone has their own method of measuring whether a kimono is "stained enough" to consider cutting it up. I don't like seeing a perfectly good kimono or obi, with only a few stains, get sold, only to end up seeing its fabric up for bid on ebay. I think I tend to agree with the "wear it, or hang it" kimono lovers, versus the "i'm going to cut it up" kimono lovers.

~Kiki ;D

[HikaruNoGo]

Forgive a newbie, but I am not aware of any previous discussions.

When I read the scenario, I imagined a kimono completely ruined beyond repair or cleaning, so I voted to make other things with fabric. That's what I would do.

If it was a minor stain or damage, hopefully it'd be in a nonconspicous place so I can wear it.

[alien333]

HI:
Im jumping in on the wear the KIMONO!
Ive restitched a mens haori, restitched the nagajuban
and others. I wear them around the house, but i love to display the tomesode. I cant wear the womens stuff so i just collect the castle motif for display.... this way they all match a bit.

Thanks!
alien333