The Transfiguration of the Kimono

As a Japanese ethnic dress, the Kimono has rapidly disappeared with the burgeoning Westernization and rationalization of the Japanese lives and the rise of women into the foray of Japanese society. In recent years, Kimono such as furisode (a long-sleeved Kimono) and hakama (a formal Japanese skirt), are only popular with younger people at seijin- shiki (Coming-of-age ceremonies), school graduation ceremonies and shaon- kai (thank- you parties that students hold for their teachers). Kimono are no longer the traditional dress for everyday life, but have become something special. Kimono are transforming with the times. The emergence of new Kimono and new ways of wearing Kimono is reacquainting Japanese with the Kimono as in the bygone days, and is causing the Japanese kimono to spring to life again as a resplendent garment. I hope that this will continue into the next generation.

公開日:2010年1月24日で登録したコンテンツは、国立情報学研究所において電子化したものです。