Thank you for this. I’m in Asakusa a lot and I’ve shifted from shock to irritation to amusement to ‘it’s fun’….though guys looking like they are at their own wedding still amuse me.
I too like Asakusa, usually staying in a hotel near Sensoji as a base for walking around. and early morning prayers at the temple I like the visuals inthe scenes in the film The Makioka Sisters (細雪, Sasame-yuki; "light snowfall" by Ichikawa Kon ) with kimono and especially where one sister dresses another in kimono.
Hiroko, you look gorgeous in your purple kimono, pure class! I really enjoyed this good-humored lesson in kimono etiquette. You can't blame us foreigners for wishing to wear something so beautiful and full of meaning.
This is wonderful! I learned so much! You are so even-handed, and kind, and thoughtful. I also love Asakusa - a wonderful place both now and in the past.
Interesting read! I learn so much here. I think you have a very beautiful and measured way of looking at it. Tourists can be disrespectful, but in many ways they are there to learn and celebrate a culture rather than disparage it even if they have a superficial understanding. And economically tourism almost always benefits the host country. So it’s a mix! I do really want to visit Japan one day! :)
As a Japanese person, I am constantly amazed to discover that there are people who care about Japan even more than the Japanese themselves. Perhaps it is actually foreign cultural figures who are protecting Japanese culture.
I think this is such a lovely perspective on how kimono could evolve! While I do cringe a little at times as I spent much time learning TPO and getting scolded by my teachers for faux pas while wearing kimono, if this means kimono wearers will enjoy kimono more in the future, and learn - why not embrace this change?
Thank you for this. I’m in Asakusa a lot and I’ve shifted from shock to irritation to amusement to ‘it’s fun’….though guys looking like they are at their own wedding still amuse me.
I too like Asakusa, usually staying in a hotel near Sensoji as a base for walking around. and early morning prayers at the temple I like the visuals inthe scenes in the film The Makioka Sisters (細雪, Sasame-yuki; "light snowfall" by Ichikawa Kon ) with kimono and especially where one sister dresses another in kimono.
Hiroko, you look gorgeous in your purple kimono, pure class! I really enjoyed this good-humored lesson in kimono etiquette. You can't blame us foreigners for wishing to wear something so beautiful and full of meaning.
This is wonderful! I learned so much! You are so even-handed, and kind, and thoughtful. I also love Asakusa - a wonderful place both now and in the past.
Interesting read! I learn so much here. I think you have a very beautiful and measured way of looking at it. Tourists can be disrespectful, but in many ways they are there to learn and celebrate a culture rather than disparage it even if they have a superficial understanding. And economically tourism almost always benefits the host country. So it’s a mix! I do really want to visit Japan one day! :)
As a Japanese person, I am constantly amazed to discover that there are people who care about Japan even more than the Japanese themselves. Perhaps it is actually foreign cultural figures who are protecting Japanese culture.
I think this is such a lovely perspective on how kimono could evolve! While I do cringe a little at times as I spent much time learning TPO and getting scolded by my teachers for faux pas while wearing kimono, if this means kimono wearers will enjoy kimono more in the future, and learn - why not embrace this change?