Oct. 31, 2024
International Exchange through Kimono ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
On October 18, I successfully completed a kimono dressing presentation requested by an international academic conference held in Kyoto. Once again, over 50 participants attended, which really underscored the high level of interest in kimono. I was thrilled to interact with people from all over the world and to receive such a positive response.
The organizers (who were non-Japanese) arranged two student models, but it was challenging to find suitable models, as many of them had large builds for the size of the kimono.
Although the models were larger in stature than typical kimono sizing, I saw this as a great opportunity to show how kimono can be adjusted to fit any individual and took on the challenge of dressing them. One of the models was from Lithuania, and it was her first time visiting Japan and wearing a kimono. She was very happy and said it was a memorable experience. She was a very intelligent person.
It was quite a challenge to dress models in kimono that didn’t fit their sizes on the spot within a limited time, and in front of an audience.
Everyone was very interested and attentive, asking questions one after another; I answered about ten of them.
A Russian man who teaches at a Japanese university brought an British-made doll that had been restored with Japanese “kintsugi” (gold repair) and showed it to me happily, saying it was a fusion of cultures.
The man in the center of the photo is from Poland, and he mentioned that his children are big fans of Japan. He showed me the kimono he had bought for himself and his children.
There was also a woman from Israel participating.
People from various countries asked to take photos with me, which made me feel so happy. It made all the hard work worth it.
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