The History Of The Kimono

posted in: Events

Exploring the history and tradition of Japanese clothing.

The Japanese word kimono (着物) translates to “thing to wear” (着 ki “wear” and 物 mono “thing”) but this simple definition is eclipsed by the many different variations and styles that the kimono encompasses.

As a UK-based lecturer and consultant on Japanese culture, Akemi Solloway has helped to promote the traditions of her native country over many years. For an audience that might be unfamiliar with the history and traditions associated with the kimono, her recent presentation at Strawberry Hill House helped to lend some perspective.

As a garment, the kimono employs many styles that can be enjoyed by both men and women – and can also be used for many different occasions. For instance, the yukata (浴衣) is a lighter style of kimono used in summer because it’s made of just one layer of fabric, ideal for the hot weather. The wearing of yukata typically takes place at traditional Japanese festivals, or matsuri (祭り), including fireworks festivals, known as hanabi (花火) as well as obon (お盆) – a festival to celebrate the spirits of the ancestors that takes place in August.

Despite the kimono having largely fallen out of fashion for everyday wear, modern day Japanese people still wear particular styles for special events, such as weddings.

Akemi’s presentation explored this history of the kimono, from its early roots through to the present day, including the fusion of the kimono style in contemporary fashion.

The talk took place at Strawberry Hill House, the Gothic-style villa developed by author Horace Walpole in the 1700s. Noted as an internationally famous example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture, Strawberry Hill underwent a £9 million 2-year restoration project in recent years. It remains a visually captivating venue – and a perfect setting for a talk about fashion and style.

This event was designed to also raise awareness about Aid For Japan, the charity that Akemi started in the wake of the devastating 2011 Japanese earthquake/tsunami. The tragedy left many children orphaned and led to Akemi establishing Aid For Japan as a means of supporting these orphans.

Akemi engaged the audience with an insight into the history of this iconic style of Japanese clothing, which included a series of images that tracked the various styles. There was also an opportunity for attendees to examine some kimono examples that Akemi had brought to the event – and even to try some on!

The event managed to raise over £300 for Aid For Japan and also gave the audience an education on an intriguing aspect of traditional Japanese culture.


All photographs: Timo Hebditch (www.timophotography.com).

www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
www.akemisolloway.com

Preview: The History Of The Kimono

posted in: Events, News

Akemi Solloway will be hosting a special event this Thursday revolving around the the History Of The Kimono as part of a fundraising exercise for Aid For Japan.

The presentation will explore the history of the traditional Japanese attire through to the present day, including the fusion of the kimono in current fashion.

The event takes place at Strawberry Hill House, the Gothic-style villa developed by author Horace Walpole in the 1700s. Noted as an internationally famous example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture, Strawberry Hill underwent a £9 million 2-year restoration project in recent years.

The History of the Kimono takes place on Thursday 29th September at 19:00. Tickets are priced at £20 each and can be ordered directly from the Strawberry Hill website.

All proceeds from this fundraising event will be split 50/50 between Aid for Japan and The Strawberry Hill Trust Charity.

www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

Orphans in the UK : Alex’s Story

posted in: News

When the orphans recently visited the UK, they were accompanied by some of Aid For Japan’s volunteers – who had done an amazing job in Japan earlier this year in helping to raise awareness of the charity.

One of these volunteers, Alex, has also penned his own report on his time with Maria and Ryota. You can read his story on the blog Children Visit England which also includes an extensive number of photos of their adventures.

Orphans In The UK

posted in: Events, News

Part of Aid For Japan’s mission is to reach out to some of the orphans from the tragic events of 2011. While the charity aims to connect with these children through the annual summer residential courses, it’s also beneficial for the orphans to visit the UK when the charity can arrange it.

For children that have lost their parents, this is an important step that not only broadens their view of the world but also reminds them that the world remembers them.

This summer two of the orphans, Maria and Ryota, flew from Japan to the UK along with our team of volunteers (who had been in Japan helping to raise awareness of Aid For Japan’s mission). After a successful Welcome Party, the children spent the next few days exploring the UK under the care of our lead volunteers Angela and Sumika.

Joined by Aid For Japan founder Akemi Solloway, Maria and Ryota met with Angela and Sumika at Richmond station on a hot August morning. Traveling by train to Strawberry Hill, the group were given a guided tour surrounding the historically interesting building. This Gothic-style villa in Twickenham (developed by author Horace Walpole in the 1700s) provided a visually spectacular venue for a visit (and will also be the location for a forthcoming Aid For Japan benefit event).

During the week that followed, Maria and Ryota were taken to London to take in the sights of the city. This included a visit to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and The Tower of London, where our guests marveled at the sight of the Crown Jewels. To contrast the English theme, the children were taken to a Japanese restaurant for lunch.

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Their London adventures also included a visit to Madame Tussauds where our guests could enjoy the lifelike waxworks of everyone from Lady Gaga to Brad Pitt. Then it was onto the impressive architecture of the British Museum where Maria and Ryota took a particular interest in the Egyptian and Japanese sections of the museum.

Akemi joined the team in the afternoon and our Japanese guests were treated to a visit to Fortnum & Mason, one of London’s famous department stores. Ryota took the opportunity to buy some souvenirs at the shop for people back home in Japan.

The next day, Akemi, Sumika, Maria and Ryota visited the Japanese Embassy in Green Park. This was followed by a visit to Buckingham Palace before the group caught the tube to go to the Grange City Hotel where Maria and Ryota enjoyed dinner kindly donated by the hotel.

During the week, Ryota stayed with Angela in the scenic locale of Westcliff-on-Sea, a seaside resort where Ryota enjoyed the sea air and the balmy summer weather. Ryota took a lot of photos during his stay and also took some English lessons from Angela, who also received some Japanese lessons from Ryota in return.

As a special treat, Ryota was taken to an outside screening of the classic film ET outside Southend Library before returning to Angela’s house where she made Okonyaki (Japanese pancakes) for dinner. The evening was rounded out by a DVD of the classic Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away which marked the end of a long but rewarding day.

The next day, Ryota was taken to Southend High School for boys where a modern church service was taking place featuring a musical recital and singing. Ryota sat at a table where he was told that everyone could take felt-tipped pens and draw on the tablecloth. Ryota displayed his talent for art with a drawing of a rabbit and some clowns.

It was back to London the following day for a tour bus around London (made easier for Ryota by having the commentary in Japanese). Following a return visit to Buckingham Palace, it was off to Richmond to Join Akemi and Maria for a picnic in Richmond Park.

Maria and Ryota’s final activity was a special visit to the Lake District. It was a 5-hour car journey (with one of our volunteers Greg kindly doing the driving) to the beautiful landscapes of the Lake District, but the real treat was a visit to the Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Angela had managed to get special VIP tickets for our Japanese guests, which included a Peter Rabbit Activity Trail. Maria was particularly delighted as her dream had come true to meet Peter Rabbit! Meanwhile, lunch consisted of a traditional English meal of Fish & Chips.

As with all adventures however, there comes a point when everyone has to go home. Maria and Ryota enjoyed an Italian lunch at Heathrow airport before flying back to Japan waved off by Akemi, Angela and Sumika. Both of the children enjoyed their UK visit and hope to come back in the future.

Maria and Ryota, like so many of the orphans of the 2011 earthquake/tsunami, are faced with the memories of that tragic event on a daily basis. Having the opportunity to enjoy a few days in a different environment, which brings them happier memories, is an important step in the road to recovery.


Aid For Japan extends its gratitude to all those that have helped with the visit of the orphans to the UK this summer. Thanks to the host families that have looked after the orphans including the Alty family (David, Mandy), Duggan family (Alex, Sarah, Robin), Clark family (Peter, Lucy), Garms family (North, Robin) and the Shaffer family (Angela, David). Thanks also to the Bhullan family (Amar, Omkar, Gurmej) and also Christel and Matteo.

Special thanks to Paul Algar, Angela Shaffer, Sumika Hayakawa, Greg Nicoll, The Japan Centre, Grange City Hotel and the staff at St John The Baptist.

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