Graduation season

     "Did you notice loads of girls in kimono at Omotesando eki (subway station)?" was the topic at nihongo conversation. Since the Japanese school year ends in March, these young ladies were decked out for graduation ceremonies.  Floral and fan patterns with full-length sleeves hanging almost to the hem, an obi or Japanese sash (as crossword solvers know) with an obijime (cord) and obidomegane (clip) to hold the kimono closed. Excellent way to improve posture when properly tied. Hair is worn swept up with the occasional flower, feet enclosed in tabi (mittens for feet) inserted into zori (sandals) that create mincing steps.

     Twelve months of the year commuters spot kimono clad women riding the subways of Tokyo. "How many more seasons do I have?" sighed calligraphy sensei, who sensibly wants to get her money's worth from this pricey outfit. What occasions require formal wear? Obvious ones like weddings and funerals, followed by classes in the traditional arts such as ikebana (flower arranging) and temae (tea ceremony), which takes decades to master.

      By season and age the kimono system follows a strict code with the turning point at arou-fo (around 40):  Older kimono wearers must select muted tones. Once I took a fan dance lesson, strapped into a kimono. (Twirling and kneeling were a challenge.) For optimal shape, beneath the kimono lies an undershirt or hadagi , the underskirt or susoyoke, waist pads and bow pads. Is it all right to carry a handbag that doesn't match the zori? (Sometimes.)

      Spring is a bank holiday and a signal for the spring kimono to make its appearance. Let's see what the Kyoto natives wear as we count down to the March 29th Bob Dylan concert.