The Quest for a Kennedy Kimono

Yukiko and Nick Niishi-san and Noriko and Joe Hirayama-san used to live in Delaware, my home state. When Miss G was born they sent a small kimono. She loved it and wore it for three Halloweens. In this picture Miss G is three. The word kimono means 'clothing’ and generally it refers to traditional Japanese clothes. Japanese wear clothes like we do every day. They save kimonos for special occasions. This was our waitress. This woman wore a kimono to show us a “kabuki” dance. There are no pockets in a kimono. Do you see how she held her fan? Although different, men wear kimono too. This man explained “kyogen”, traditional Japanese theater. Kids wear kimonos. I saw these little ones at a shrine. They were there for a special ceremony for three and five year olds. Do you notice the little girl is holding her fan the same way? Her sleeves are very long. Long sleeves means "not married". Shorter sleeves means "married." Sumo wrestlers wear them. These big guys were on their way to a national wrestling match. They were on our plane flying from Tokyo to Saga. And Kennedys wear them too! This is me! Yukiko Nishii-san is a professional kimono wrapper and a kimono wrapping teacher. I asked her and Noriko Hirayama-san to help me find a kimono. I want to bring one back to the U.S. They took me to this store.

Arrigato Nick-san for taking pictures. The ladies and I were waaaaaayyyyyy too busy talking to think about taking pictures! I had lots of choices but I think I found two perfect Kennedy kimonos. What do you think? Later in the afternoon we went to Nishii-san’s house for a kimono wrapping lesson. First, I put on my kimono left side over right. Next, I had to adjust the fabric so it was the correct length and not dragging all over the floor. The final step was putting on the obi, a wide fabric belt. This was the hardest part. No zippers. No snaps. No buttons or clips. Tying an obi is all about folding. Thank goodness Yukiko-san gave me a book to take home with me. Nishii-san wore this beautiful formal style kimono to her son's wedding. Would you like to watch her wrap it? Me too! It starts with white kimono under dressing. Now she puts on the outer kimono.
Then she folds and wraps around the obi.
She completes the obi paying attention to details.
Finishing touches.

Yukiko and Nick Niishi-san and Noriko Hirayama-san, thank you for being such good friends and sharing a wonderful day!

To earn KenYen design your own kimono!