STORIES 着物物語

The third kimono was given to me by my grandmother, but it was originally my aunt’s kimono. My aunt passed away when she was very young and so my grandmother kept it for her, to give to me. It was actually given to me when my father passed away, and I was in my 40s. Then my relatives told me the story of his and his sister’s childhood. Through this I was connected with his life and thoughts. I could feel the bond of family history through this kimono. I realized that the kimono is like blood, and the silk threads are like the blood vessels which connect the family members. From that time I realized that kimono is not just clothing, not only something practical, but it is something that can be worn by and connected to many generations.

「３枚目は祖母から譲られた叔母の着物です。叔母は若くして亡くなり、祖母がその着物を持っていました。私が４０代になると父が亡くなり、父の妹である叔母の着物が私のところに来た頃、父と叔母の昔の話を親戚が話してくれました。それは初めて聞く話で、知らなかった父の半生の話でした。父の人生や思い、家族のつながりや歴史とこの着物がつながった時、『この着物は血？』という言葉が浮かびました。絹糸の１本１本が脈々と家族をつなぐ血管のように見えて、着物がただの着る物、また世代と超えて着られるという機能性を超えた、意味のある物になった瞬間でした。」