The "Furisode myself project" was featured in:
"Hito ☆ Kagayaki ☆ Tsushin" Vol. 137,
published by "Shiawase Production (Editor-in-Chief: Shunzo Nishimoto)."
The article is as follows:
Clad in the culture of kimono
Nana Nasu, Representative of "KIMONO Terrasse"
Nana Nasu (Representative of KIMONO Terrasse), who runs a kimono dressing school in Okayama,
is promoting the "Furisode myself project," which aims to teach individuals how to wear furisode themselves.
Recently, one of the members
held a Japanese cultural exchange event while studying abroad in Belgium
and conducted a yukata and kimono dressing workshop.
She received a message (via ZOOM) stating that:
"There were students in Belgium who owned kimonos and even knew how to fold them.
It was wonderful to be able to have a proper discussion about kimonos as a Japanese person, having studied how to wear them."
"We still hold regular ZOOM meetings with our members to report on our activities."
Below is a report of what Nana Nasu felt during her conversations with the "Furisode myself project" members.
The meaning behind the patterns
"Among their activities over approximately one year, there's one statement I can't forget.
About two months before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, at an event in Korakuen,
there was an awards ceremony for 'Kimono Cultural Figures,' and they
served as assistants to the presenter.
After they were assigned this role, I believed that one's state of mind inevitably affects their manners,
so I thoroughly conducted a knowledge and etiquette course via ZOOM.
We discussed the meaning behind the patterns on their furisode,
the significance of the sleeves and overlapping collars, and so on.
Once they understood the meanings,
they seemed to feel, 'I have such a wonderful kimono, I'm so happy to wear it!'
and their gratitude towards their parents and those around them, as well as their
eagerness to master wearing the kimono, seemed to grow even stronger."
"Thank you for wearing it."
"On the day of the event, they had to wear furisode that they had dressed themselves in front of hundreds of people...
I don't know how nervous they were, but they did it perfectly.
After that, when they were strolling around Korakuen.
An unfamiliar lady approached them and
said, 'Thank you for wearing a kimono.'
Not 'You're cute,' or 'You're beautiful,' or 'It suits you,' but
'Thank you for wearing it.'
At first, they didn't understand what she meant.
But then they realized.
"What we are wearing is not just a costume.
We are clad in culture," they thought.
I can never forget their excited expressions
as they told me this story."
"Whether they realized it at the time or not...
I believe it's because they not only learned the technique of dressing but also thoroughly learned about the culture that they received such words.
Perhaps they also subconsciously felt it, which is why the phrase
'clad in culture' came to mind.
I believe the lady sensed that they had learned the culture, acquired knowledge, and transformed it into the power of their own charm..."
End of article
What is the "Furisode myself project"?
One of our company's fundamental projects,
"Wafuku myself project," aims to create a society where everyone
can dress themselves in kimono.
For the 2022 Coming-of-Age Ceremony,
・Attending the Coming-of-Age Ceremony dressed in furisode by oneself.
・Through the experience of dressing oneself, fostering self-awareness of becoming an adult, moving away from relying on parents.
With these goals, four new adults
launched the "Furisode myself project."
From this group,
"Acquiring appropriate manners and dignity for formal attire,
and having the awareness to develop kimono culture
as individuals who will lead the coming era."
Conscious of this "purpose" after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony,
two of the four members went to study abroad.
They consider how to act in their respective places and environments
to achieve this goal and are actively engaged in their endeavors.
(June 2022)
