TOMOKO’S STORY 3 着物物語 3
I got this kimono 4 years ago when I went to a Yuki tsumugi producing district as a study as part of the kimono school. At first I did not going to buy anything. But when I looked at this kimono, I liked this color. I heard that the young artisan made this kimono to try out a different color, much brighter than usual Yuki tsumugi. Buying this would support the young artisans, so I decided to get it with a three year loan. It was the first time for me to buy an expensive kimono by myself and take out a loan. I did not know it was possible to take out a loan when we buy kimono. If I couldn’t have done that, I would have given up on buying it. It was expensive, but it must be cheaper than men’s hobbies, like messing around with cars (laugh). The masters at the producing district told me that at my age, we should have a few good quality kimono rather than having many cheap kimono. Because of this color, it did not look like Yuki tsumugi, so it was difficult for them to market it as an expensive Yuki tsumugi, so I heard that the wholesalers would not buy it. Thanks to them, I could see it there. I really like wearing this. It is very light and comfortable. Some young women are waiting to be given this kimono from me in the future.

この着物は４年前購入しました。着物の学校で結城紬の産地へ見学に行きました。初めは買うつもりはなかったのですが、この着物を一目見て色に惹かれました。若い職人さんが新しい試みとして明るい綺麗な色の結城紬を作っているのだと聞き、支援したい気持ちもあり、３年のローンを組んで初めて自分で高い着物を買いました。産地の人に、私くらいの年齢だと、数をたくさん持つよりも、少なくても良いから良いものを持つ方が良いと言われ、ました。確かに高額でしたが、男性が車にお金をかけるよりは安いかな、なんて（笑）。ローンを組むのは初めてでした。こういう方法があるのを初めて知りました。この方法が無ければあきらめていました。一見、結城紬とわかりにくいため、価格とのバランスで問屋さんが持って行ってくれないので産地で展示をしていたそうです。軽くて着心地がよくてとても気に入っています。お教室の若い子達がこの着物を譲られる日を待ってくれています。