My Collection of Kimono

Used items have never really been popular in Japan… they like old American clothes, but then we’re talking about new old stock American apparel, not used. Given how the number of people who wear kimono has dropped precipitously, certainly in terms of everyday wear, but even during festivals and special occasions, it’s no surprise that there are literal tons of hand made artisan silk kimonos that are wasting away in closets and recycling shops [second hand stores]. I don’t really know how to explain how criminal it feels that they are so neglected. I have been gifted multiple kimono that were thousands of dollars to have made, but now are seen as donate-able items.

I would love to see them back out in the world in some form, whether that be as decorations on people’s wall, taken apart and reused in other clothes, worn around the house… honestly, I’d love to see someone wear it in public as part of an outfit; though, I realize that might be a tall order for a number of reasons. In any case, while I try to figure out how to get them back out in the world, I figured I would try to document and show off the one’s I currently have [currently 50+]. I don’t have pictures of the majority of the kimono as of yet, but I am working on it. I will try to post one a day Monday-Friday, at least until I get pictures of the others.

A number of the kimono are from my family and are important to me, but if you fall in love with one and have a way to use it, feel free to send a message!

Or, Japanese friends! If you or your family have kimono that you are looking to get rid of, please let me know!

This was my mom, dressed in a family friend’s kimono.