On July 25, 2023 the Tokyo Geidai Global Support Center held the Japanese Cultural Experience event “Let’s Explore Japanese Kimono Culture!” Ten international students gathered at the international exchange building Taki Plaza to learn about kimono.

The students learned about the history of kimono, types of patterns and seasonality of kimono designs, and they also dressed up in kimono and tried out Japanese dance movements.

Global Support Center Project Professor Yoshie Itani gave a brief lecture that touched on the history of kimono, the creation of kimono with examples of actual cocoons and silk threads, and seasonal kimono patterns and designs.

Ms. Kaho Aso, a traditional Japanese music performer, demonstrated how to wear the kimono, and some of the participants had the opportunity to try on a yukata or kimono. The kimono dressing was assisted by Project Associate Professors Sachie Saito and Yoko Yokota from the Faculty of Music and Miyuki Imai from the Public Collaboration Center.

The participants moved to the tea ceremony room to experience Japanese dance under the guidance of Ms. Aso. She first taught the posture of standing when wearing a kimono. Kimono and yukata wearers hold the sleeve cuff with their left hand, so Ms. Aso’s demonstration showed the appropriate way to hold your hand. Next, they held a fan in with the right hand, completing the pose.

Ms. Aso showed how to move forward while maintaining the correct posture, change direction, and open the fan. Japanese dance uses movements that capture the imagination, and the demonstration included the example of evoking mountain scenery by pointing the fan into the distance. Many students learned how to open and use a Japanese fan for the first time. 

The Japanese dance experience concluded with the students placing the fan before themselves and bowing while in the seiza sitting posture. 

Ms. Saito also gave an explanation of the tea ceremony layout, the procedure for entering and exiting the room, and tearoom etiquette. 

This 90-minute event gave international students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture through kimono and Japanese dance. Project Associate Professor Eriko Ishida from the Global Support Center provided moderation for the event. Participants included students who will return to their home countries after their studies at Tokyo Geidai, and several commented on the good memories created by this event. Others said they enjoyed the experience of wearing kimono and walking on tatami mats, and still others wished the event could have been longer.

The Global Support Center is planning more events for international students and details will be posted on our website and Instagram.

(Global Support Center)