When I started to go to kimono dressing school, my teacher gave this kimono to me. I feel free to wear it because it is washable, a dark color, and the crepe fabric is easy to wear in beautiful way. When I attended a university class mate’s party in this kimono, my friend was influenced by my kimono style and she started to learn kimono dressing, too. Now, she always wears kimono when she goes to the opera. She still says every time when she meets me that she was amazed and influenced by me at the party. I feel shy about it a little, but it makes me so happy. In the meantime, I am getting less opportunities to wear kimono these days and have almost forgotten how to tie the obi. One day it took me two hours to finish, so I had to learn it again. I love indigo color. I like this kimono but I would like to get a real Japanese indigo-dyed kimono in the future. It is said that the real Japanese indigo dye is good for skin when wearing it, and not only a beautiful natural deep color.

友人に刺激を受けて着付け教室に通っていた頃、先生からいただきました。着崩れしにくい生地ですし、汚しても目立ちにくい色の上、洗える素材なので安心して着ています。これを着て同窓会に出席したところ、友人には非常に印象的だったらしく、彼女はその後着付け教室に通い、その後はオペラに行く時は必ず着物で行っているようです。今でも会うと、私のあのときの着物姿が素敵で影響を受けたと言ってくれ、少し恥ずかしいですがとても嬉しいです。これ以上のほめ言葉はありません。

一方の私はその後着物を着る機会が減り、帯の結び方も忘れてしまい、２時間たってもできないのでさすがに焦って復習しました。

私は藍色が好きで、この着物も気に入っていますが、いずれは本藍染めの着物を着たいと思っています。皮膚にも良いと聞いていますし、色も深く綺麗で憧れています。