Here is the full transcript of Yasuko Omori’s talk titled “Kimono: The importance of Inheritance” at TEDxBorrowdaleWomen conference.
Yasuko Omori’s talk, “Kimono: The Importance of Inheritance,” passionately explores the cultural significance and enduring legacy of the kimono in Japanese heritage. She shares her personal journey, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic threatened her livelihood and the tradition of kimonos, prompting a deeper reflection on her work.
Omori emphasizes the kimono’s role in connecting generations, underscoring the meticulous craftsmanship and environmental sustainability inherent in these garments. Despite the challenges posed by fast fashion and the complexity of wearing kimonos, she advocates for innovation to make them more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Omori envisions a future where kimonos can be easily worn by all, thus broadening their appeal and ensuring their preservation.
Her commitment to passing down this tradition is evident as she calls for a balance between honoring the past and adapting to the future. Omori’s talk is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of cultural inheritance and the beauty of sharing it across generations.
Listen to the audio version here:
TRANSCRIPT:
Much trauma was created when COVID-19 hit the world in 2019. Many lives were lost, and many lost their jobs. I’m one of those who almost lost their jobs due to COVID-19. I carry on the tradition of Japanese kimonos and, at that time, I had the worst feeling that not only my job but also kimonos may be lost.
This led me to ponder deeply about my work, and I felt an urgent need to tell you more about the beauty of kimonos and traditions. That is why I’m here today. So, what do you imagine when you hear the word “inherent”? When people think of keeping traditions, it sometimes feels like a constraint.
But traditions are simply the set of customs and cultures that we acquire naturally from generation to generation. Sometimes they change slowly, but they could change drastically. There are times they refuse to change and perish or times they remain unchanged and out-reserved and pass on to the next generation. For me, a tradition I wish to pass on is the wearing of the kimono.
The Essence of Kimono Tradition
I learned all about the kimonos, which have been handed down from generation to generation in Japan. I’m proud to be involved in the kimono dressing school that my mother started so that I can pass on the unique aspect of Japanese culture through my own family. Let me introduce you to the person who taught me the importance of inheritance and who has been a mentor in my life, my mother. The kimono is a wonderful part of Japanese culture that we are proud to share with the world.
Let me explain a little about the kimonos. The kimono is a traditional item of clothing that has not changed its shape for the past 200 years. They are very beautiful garments that both convey the feeling of the seasons and enable the wearer to show their individuality by selecting different patterns, colors, and widths. Very delicate dyeing techniques bring more than 2,130 different colors to life.
The elegance ensured by these precise techniques is such that the kimono is likened to a jewel. Here are some kimonos. This kimono and the kimono I’m wearing now have been used for 40 years, and they were passed down to me by my mother. The kimono my mother is wearing was also worn by my grandmother.
Sustainability and Challenges
The reason most kimonos are expensive is not only because the thick is expensive. But also because they are treated respectfully as an asset that can be passed down from generation to generation. A kimono made of silk, linen, or cotton can be taken apart and recycled. Kimonos have been environmentally conscious, recyclable, and sustainable garments for a very long time.
The kimono can be worn and be used across the generations. This is the very reason why they have been inherited for many years. Kimonos are my focus because traditional culture is something to be preserved and inherited. Unfortunately, the preservation of kimono is currently under threat.
Because of the popularity of fast fashion, there is a lack of successors and decreasing opportunities to wear kimonos. However, the biggest reason kimonos are under threat is because of the difficulty of wearing kimonos properly. To tell you the truth, the art of wearing kimono properly is difficult even for Japanese people. Unfortunately, wearing kimonos is not as easy as wearing western clothes, especially if you are not used to handling them or if you haven’t memorized the steps.
Many people have told me that they would like to wear kimonos more often if they could wear it easily, more comfortably by themselves. So, my mother and I gradually came to wish for the kimono to change and become familiar enough that anyone can pass them on for generations to come. A kimono should not be too tight, should be easy to wear, and should be enjoyed without having to be overly concerned with detail rules. This is the ideal way of wearing kimono in the future.
A Vision for the Future
I want to make it easier for anyone to wear kimono so we would be able to share this wonderful part of our culture with more people around the world. Recently, I have seen many people walking around the street of Japan wearing rental kimono, which is wonderful to see. If people all around the world understand and love kimonos, then they can inherit a part of Japanese culture. What if there were a magical kimono that you could put on in three minutes?
What if you could wear it easily without knowing how to tie an obi? If this were the case, wouldn’t you want to try one on right away? I am committed to passing down this tradition while accommodating for changes. Kimonos are not for a select few, nor are they a dime garment, but rather a tradition to be shared with a wide range of people and generations beyond the borders of family.
This is what it means to me to inherit a tradition.