I visited Japan for the first time exactly a year ago to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend who turned 80 on February 27, 2024. The experience opened up a whole new world to me, and I returned both culturally and personally enriched, with newfound Japanese friends, unforgettable experiences, and a deep love for this extraordinary country.
I wrote a series of exclusive blog posts on Thursd.com that I named Japan, My Love: 7 Reasons I Fell in Love With Japan. In this series, I will highlight some of the most striking aspects of my journey. We’ve decided to release them weekly, much like a Netflix series, throughout the spring. If you love Japan or are simply intrigued by its beauty and culture, I invite you to join me on this spring blogging journey.
Chapter 4: The Art of the Japanese Kimono
Thank you for joining me once again on my exciting journey through Japan. In Chapter 1, I shared the reasons behind my trip to this mesmerising country and the many wonderful friends I made along the way.
One of the most inspiring people I met was Yui Kanan, a professional DJ, model, cosplayer, and the young female CEO of 'ONIGIRI PLUS Inc.', a professional cosplay company. Yui is a remarkable and beautiful Japanese woman with a unique business vision. She believes that a good business is just like a good party: the best way to bring cultures and people together!
Her extensive work in professional entertainment, both in Japan and internationally, has led her to become an image cosplayer for Tokyo Comic-Con (2016–2025) and to manage the cosplay section and Artist Alley at the event, even organising official cosplay stage events for Disney, featuring Star Wars and Marvel films. She also won the Grand Prix title at Beauty Japan Contest 2019, recognized for her beauty, eloquence, and innovative ideas. With her background in DJing, cosplay, and anime/manga culture, Yui has built a truly inspiring business. I was absolutely thrilled to meet such an inspiring woman!
My dear friend Toshi, whose 80th birthday we celebrated during my visit (see Chapter 1), introduced me to Yui. Together, we decided to surprise him by dressing in a traditional kimono (Japanese clothing) for a special birthday dinner with friends. Experiencing the Japanese kimono was high on my bucket list, and I was eager to take part in this tradition. Yui’s manager, Matt Nakamura, arranged for me to rent a kimono from a rental shop in the bustling Ginza district of Tokyo. Matt mentioned that Yui would be wearing a sophisticated, modern-style kimono, which piqued my curiosity, I wanted to understand the differences between modan kimono (a modern take on the traditional Japanese kimono) and the classic furisode (a style of kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves) or tomesode styles (a kimono with shorter flaps on the sleeves). From what I gathered, Traditional kimonos are usually made from luxurious materials like silk and are often intricately woven or embroidered. In contrast, modern kimonos are made from a broader range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, rayon, and even lace.
At the Kimono Rental Shop
At the rental shop, I was warmly welcomed by two lovely ladies who presented me with a wide selection of kimonos. The options ranged from colourful and pastel-patterned komon (casual kimonos) to exquisite silk houmongi (a formal dressing in traditional Japanese culture for both married and unmarried ladies), which were breathtaking but quite pricey. I selected a soft pastel modern kimono with a delicate floral motif (花柄, hanagara). However, I quickly realized that the outer kimono was just the beginning of this intricate fashion ritual! To my surprise, wearing a kimono involves at least two different undergarments and up to dozens of elements to properly assemble the outfit: elastic bands, padding towels to create volume, layers of belts, collars, tabi (traditional split-toe socks), zori sandals, and elegant hair accessories. The process of dressing felt like being transformed into a living doll, dressed with layers of carefully placed fabrics and craftsmanship. The next morning, when returning the kimono, I counted all the accessories I had worn; there were 36 pieces in total! Isn’t it amazing!
A Four-Meter Obi
The obi is an especially significant component of the kimono. My obi measured a stunning four meters in length and was wrapped tightly around my waist, tied in an elaborate hana-musubi (flower knot). To enhance the look, I chose a bright red obiage (decorative belt) as an extra layer, which added a striking contrast to the soft hues of my kimono. The entire dressing process, including hairstyling, took about an hour, but it was a wonderful experience! I highly recommend that any visitor to Japan take the time to experience this centuries-old tradition—it is a beautiful expression of culture and craftsmanship.
To my delight, the kimono was surprisingly comfortable to wear. I visited Japan in late February to early March, and despite the chilly weather, I felt perfectly warm and cozy in my layered ensemble. Even the zori sandals, though unconventional to Western feet, were unexpectedly comfortable! Walking in a kimono, however, requires some practice. Since the garment is tightly wrapped, steps must be taken delicately, and Japanese women often adopt a slightly bent posture, keeping their knees close together, curving their lower backs, and moving with a graceful sway. From a European perspective, this might seem restrictive, but I learned that this refined posture is considered both elegant and aristocratic in Japan. I felt absolutely fabulous in my kimono and couldn’t resist asking Matt to take a photo of me at the famous Ginza crossing. I almost felt like a member of The Beatles in their iconic Abbey Road photo!
The Kimono Photoshoot
That afternoon, I had an exciting appointment and photoshoot with Yui Kanan. I had rented a beautiful traditional washitsu (Japanese-style room) with tatami flooring and shoji (rice paper sliding doors), which provided the perfect setting for our shoot. Yui kindly offered to do my makeup before our session. She suggested incorporating red eyeliner, explaining that red is a highly symbolic color in Japan, representing protection and vitality. In Europe, red eyeliner is not a common choice, but I trusted Yui’s expertise in cosplay and anime aesthetics. The result was a fresh, striking look that I absolutely loved! For the shoot, Yui opted for a modern, effortlessly chic modan kimono, wearing a flowing red-and-black design with fans, an interesting contrast to my more traditional style and blonde appearance.
Being photographed by a Japanese photographer was a unique experience. And oh, what a challenge it is to be a Japanese model! The precision, the details, the focus, each pose required immense concentration. Though we appeared graceful in the final images, achieving the perfect posture was surprisingly demanding! We had to fold our bodies into elegant poses, with bent legs, knees pressed together, lower backs curved, necks fully extended, and heads delicately tilted. And then, of course, we had to maintain a serene smile to make it all look effortless! In Japan, even hand gestures are considered an art form, so I paid special attention to creating elegant movements with my fingers while posing.
Yui and I also took photos together, harmonising our postures like two sisters. We held ikebana-inspired floral arrangements created for Toshi’s birthday, and Yui carried a hand-tied bouquet featuring exquisite Japanese Wabara roses, one of the most beautiful varieties of garden roses. In the next chapter, I will take you to the legendary Wabara rose breeder and introduce you to some of the most breathtaking garden roses I encountered in the heart of bustling Tokyo. Stay tuned for Chapter 5 next week!
Meeting Kimono Specialist Noriko Sudoh
Time flew by, and before we knew it, we were running terribly late for Toshi’s birthday celebration in Meguro, Tokyo. There, I had the pleasure of meeting another of Toshi’s friends, Noriko Sudoh, a renowned kimono specialist and collector. She owns thousands of kimonos, including rare antique pieces, and organizes special kimono matsuri (kimono festivals) and European-themed balls where attendees dress in 18th-century European gowns and dance together.
Noriko shared fascinating insights into Japanese traditions, etiquette, and the hidden sensuality of the kimono. For instance, the eri (collar) is often styled slightly open at the back to elegantly reveal the nape of the neck, considered one of the most attractive features of a Japanese woman. There are even discreet openings under the arms, which I hadn’t noticed before! Well, if you want to learn more about the secrets of the kimono, I suggest asking Noriko herself on Facebook. I won’t reveal everything here!
Our evening was filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt gifts as we celebrated Toshi’s milestone birthday over a traditional Japanese meal in a private ryōtei (a fine-dining establishment). We savoured a delicious sukiyaki, a Japanese hot pot dish featuring thinly sliced beef, vegetables, tofu, and noodles simmered in a flavourful broth. I had brought a bottle of French champagne, and together, we toasted to friendship, culture, and unforgettable memories.
To discover more about Japan’s exquisite cuisine, stay tuned for Chapter 7 in the coming weeks!
With love and appreciation,
Katya xxx
Read previous: Chapter 3 Japanese Flowers. Read next: Chapter 5: Japanese Cuisine (coming April 10).
Photography: Yui Kanan, Katya Hutter, Mr. Ogiwara. All images courtesy of Katya Hutter Floral Design.
