MIKA’S INFLUENCES影響
I don’t have many memories of kimono from my family. I remember the ceremonies for 7,5,3 coming of age and graduation, but on those occasions I wore rental kimono and I was dressed at the photographic studio. My first influence was probably becoming aware of my Japaneseness, when I was living in England. For the first time, I was made to acknowledge that I was Japanese. I suppose that made me aware of Japanese culture, a bit. Then I liked the feeling of wearing a hakama at aikido. It made my posture really good, and I liked that feeling a lot. Then I suppose that the third influence was the wedding I went to when I borrowed a light purple kimono from one of my relatives. It looked really good and I was moved by that. Then I wanted to get one like that for myself. I have taken a few free lessons and my friend gave me a kimono to practice with. I made a similar kimono and wanted to wear it for a relative’s wedding.
着物の思い出があまり多くはありません。七五三と成人式、大学の卒業式は着物をレンタルをして、着付けを頼みました。おそらく、一番最初に受けた影響は、イギリスに住むことによって、初めて自分が日本人であることを実感したことだと思います。そのとき初めて日本人である自分と日本の文化を考え始めました。もう一つは合気道で袴を穿くことです。袴を穿くと姿勢が良くなり、とても気持ちが良いです。そして、さらに結婚式に出席したときに親戚から薄い紫の着物を借りたことも影響しています。とても綺麗で、感動しました。その着物と同じような物が欲しくなり、親戚の結婚式に出席するために自分用に誂えました。友人から練習用の着物を譲ってもらい、着付けの無料レッスンをいくつか受けました。
The Kimono Closet 