The Mother’s Day is 14^th May in this year. There are many present goods in stores to remind our thanks minds. Recently, dinner or travel has became popular.

I had enjoyed a musical titled “Mother ~what mother had left~”.  Nowadays, internet mail is the main stream, but old styled hand writing letter brings full of love.

What my mother had left is feeling anxious about other persons. She always paid attention to them. But I didn’t adapt to my mother in childish days due to her strict home discipline…

She did love fashion. A sepia color photo was found in her articles left. It was a best shot in a photo studio, showing a fair woman in male attire like Greta Garbo, famous Hollywood movie star. I was so surprised that she wanted to be a fashion designer !!!

She also loved Kimono. Her memento Kimono was not many, but she was called an expert in Kimono. I am sure that I make good use of her DNA without doubt.

The pink Kimono with dropping cherry blossoms to the river brings spring wind. The deep purple Kimono with clear white cherry blossoms shows beautiful contrast. The pink Kimono with several kinds of flowers is suitable for early summer.

These Kimonos are displayed for our clients who can enjoy each season. I pay attention to other persons like my mother.

The pink jacket was remade from “Majolica Omeshi” Kimono with gray color accent which works for calming down the gorgeous glittery yarn. In 1960’s, westernized motif on Kimono was popular in between Japanese Kimono style and Western clothes style. My works is the evolution, isn’t it ?

I feel a memorial thought how my mother lived in those days…

The exhibition, “A Legacy and Marvel Perfected Over Three Millennia” made me so happy.

People in China and Japan still use Chinese Characters.

In Chinese ancient “Shin” period, the terracotta warriors with armor have each carved craft-man’s name on their bodies. By the way, is it a joke? “Like !” on the right hand.

Each character itself has a meaning. We can found it from the origin, for example, 愛(Love) from woman’s behavior, 幸(Happiness) from handcuffs, 福(Wealth) from liquor pot serving to God.

寿(Congratulations) is sometimes drawn on kimono fabric. The black men’s shirt was remade from a bridal kimono for mother. This motif was modified to be modernized, and usefully put on the shirt.

I have always worked with愛(Love) , and have been filled with幸(Happiness) 福(Wealth) ~~

We are very glad that women interested in remade clothes from Kimono has been increasing.

They request to make Kimono dress when they see a person wearing it. Almost of them think something must be done about Kimono which is not worn anymore.

We check their Kimono first and discuss with them how they want to wear Kimono remade clothes. They agree to hand down one of the Japanese Culture, the excellence of Kimono, to the future. The relay for “WA（Japanese Culture）” has been started.

We have two order systems, “Easy” and “Full”.  “Easy” is simple revise when she put on a sample. It is very understandable for a beginner.  “Full” is necessary to have a fitting by using different fabric due to no sample.

My designed clothes are very comfortable but the looks is very neat like ready-made clothes. This is my policy and we have a good reputation “refined and looked younger ! ”

The photos are introduced one of “Full order”. The top made from OBI belt and the long skirt made from her bridal special Kimono were designed for stage and party. The top looks like leather and good at a stylish woman. Contrastly, the skirt has soft drape with gorgeous flower motif. The total image is very elegant and feminine because of the gentle colors.

She was surprised and said, “How beautiful this cutting of neck line is !  What in the world have you seen fabulous clothes ?!” during the fitting. I was full of drive !!!

My black jacket was made from HAORI jacket. This is also a good contrast of the strong color and the light weight like air. I was floating in the air in mind and body. It was admired by the ex-United States Ambassador to Japan, C. Kennedy.

I am really enjoyed and appreciated to this event which is acknowledged by the hotel. Several women told me, “I would visit your atelier.” after this event.

The new relay for “WA（Japanese Culture）” will be starting.

Kiyomi Kitagawa, Chairman of KIMONO MIRAI Executive Committee

FURISODE Kimono is filled with love of her parents. And good memories on happy events too. Therefore, I would say that girls put it on as many as they can and pill up happiness.

The photos introduce a destination of FURISODE. My client had brought her favorite FURISODE and requested to remake to a party dress for herself and her daughter who lives in Westcoast. Their 15cm difference on height was settled by separating on top and bottom. The kimono fabric was cut some stains here and there and reborn to new faces, a dress and a long skirt.

Kimono fabric has some limitations, the width/length/matching motif/stains for re-couture (remake). It looks like a jigsaw puzzle. This work is really useful for senility prevention. The remade clothes are very excellent to express “Japanese traditional beauty” and to put on for Japanese as well as foreigners.

She had sent her photos to her elder sister who commented, “Our died father must be glad to see it !”. I have heard that their hearts were filled with deep emotions. My works not only make clothing but also make people happy.

By the way, what can I do for my set of FURISODE ?

The strong green fabric is very heavy silk with big white flower motif by pulling out the ground color. The NAGAJYUBAN under Kimono has also big motives by all SHIBORI technique look like FURISODE. And refined OBI belt with Chinese phoenix was weaved by several different gold color yarns. I and my niece put it on five times. I will enjoy them by display as interior in New Year until the bright design occurred to me.

Spring has come in my mind, but the wind is still cool.

I had enjoyed the live by Mr. Satoru Saito who is a painter of ceiling and a scholar of mind-logy. Let’s introduce his words what I was hit !

==The Chinese character “Beauty/美” is written with “Sheep/羊” and “Big/大”. The sheep serving to God is a symbol of happiness. The person who highly expresses the happy feeling looks beautiful very much ! And it is very important to feel happy however the circumstances is. This is also announced by The Michiko Empress.

==The women who know that men are foolish can become happy (The women never expect men.)

==Stress exists between present situation and expectation. It will decrease by what you always thank to all things. For example, a huge painting on the ceiling brings big stress to him, but he images the audience will be happy to see it. So, he does not feel any solitude at all and does fill much thanks.

As I could share his saying even in one word, I took his session on other day. He gave me the message “Create a new wind in the world !” with a wave motion illustration. I was so moved the beautiful illustration of woman God with a special name. I strongly decide again, “I am only one who can make a new wind for reborn Kimono !”

“Seeing is believing.” He had easily understood my dream because I had put a spring coat reformed from Kimono coat and a jacket from Kimono Haori jacket. I had got many business hints from him.

I have really appreciated for him. In addition, how many times I say “Thanks a lot !!!!!” a day ?

Nuitori-Omesi was called by which some Shoguns and courtiers had worn Haori (Kimono Jacket)/Hakama(Kimono Trousers) of this fabric. Omesi means “being worn by noble persons”. It is similar Obi (Kimono Belt) but lighter than Obi weaved using gold/silver threads. I have remade this favorite gorgeous and rare fabric to jacket /coat.

The dinner of “Be Venus” with 4 members of coach for coaching, the place I had joined on Nuitori-Omeshi coat dress was at a famous Chinese restaurant, Joe’s Shanghai New York in Osaka. The most popular food “Shorompo” was so delicious, and devised the size/taste/temperature for Japanese. It was already thrown away to my stomach before taking photos.

I and a doctor were hearing the present situation in coaching world from other two active coaches. I had spent my considerable time/energy/money to improve “Natural coaching”. I remembered that I had attended the class after the funeral of my mother without changing the black kimono. I had not yet grieved at that time…

I am sure that I am now alive by self-coaching.

The life is only once !  It is a day whichever you are crying or laughing.

My client had brought a memento Kimono of her mother which had slept in her closet escaping the war.

And she put on the remade fashionable skirt and tunic today.

This kimono has a characteristic that is some happy motives like crane and pine/bamboo/apricot by symmetry frame printing.

As the raw material, expensive silkworm was used in the minimum, the both fabrics of front and lining were very thin.

The rapped long skirt is suitable to tie at front/back/side and shows the gorgeous back side too.

The tunic remade from the kimono sleeves makes some elegant drapes when she moves.

And the 2 pcs fabrics can be zipped out for different occasion.

Both items are very convenient by folding unbulky like FUROSHIKI to bring in baggage.

I am sure that these remade items are admirable wherever they are, especially in abroad.

The client left my atelier with big satisfaction.

How happy as a designer !

Let’s start the next one ~~

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Calligrapher, Tsubasa Kimura was held a performance and New Year party at the building of “Tesla” (Electric mobile) collecting owner.

She longs for a free travelling poet. Her video showing many landscapes in China and Taiwan and a well-trained Chinese Koto play piled up her performance. The dynamic writing was “Ka-Cho-Fu-Getsu” (flower-bird-wind-moon) which means beautiful nature and landscape. She will go on a trip to Zurich in Swiss and Seattle in Canada for her exhibition in coming May.

The party was BYOB, but sufficient hi-qualitied foods and drinks were served by the owner. My grilled chicken and egg were only an addition. I had been pretty hungry and came back in over-weight. My jacket remade from HAORI (Kimono Jacket) is enough long to cover my stomach.

Her personality attracts people regardless of age or sex. I had met her disciples of character. We call this “Birds of a feather flock together”. Thank you so much, Tsubasa, the owner and all guests.

I would learn “philosophy” through calligraphy in this good surrounding !

We have seen many New Year Parties in January, especially in famous hotels. It was the first time for me to attend the party of Japan-America Society of Osaka in Riga Royal Hotel.

The atmosphere was different from ACCJ due to the type of guest. It was mild by matured individual men managers. On the other hand, ACCJ’ party was crowded many career women and active workers of big foreign affiliated firms. They were eager to exchange the name cards. That was why it was lively. The common point was a gorgeous raffle including a pair of foreign airline ticket.

I had felt that a gathering adult party was only for food & drink, and presents, since returning from New York. Therefore, I planned “Man & Women Matching Party” and “Social Contribution Party”.

Some pensioned women have supported to feed neighbor poor children in Japan. I am anxious how our sense of value in the world is going to change by “America first” of president Trump. I am sure that the gulf between rich and poor becomes more severe.

“Accept one’s fate, Challenge to one’s destiny, and Burn against one’s mission” (Former Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi)

I have continuously proceeded my mission to transmit Japanese sprit which love peace, by breaking Kimono for leaving to the future.

A happy new year !    I have appreciated for your visiting my website.

I love to remake western style clothes from KIMONO because of a maniac KIMONO. My work makes my customers comfortably enjoyed with happy feeling. It is “like !” to be able to flush you as a lady. I am proud that not only the feeling of the customer but also their surrounding can feel elegant.

This “only one” clothes in the world has been created by a collaboration of the matured KIMONO fabric and my particular design to beauty. It might be “a wearing art”.

I would continue to create a great fabulous fashion by my refined sensibility through long experience of a textile designer as well as a garment designer. And I will brush up myself as a walking advertising.

I wish you continuously favor my art work.