Matsuoka Fukiko, 49
Kimono Teacher from Kumamoto
Why did you want to teach kimono?
It comes from my interest in the sado (tea ceremony). The kimono is necessary for it. I was always fond of my mother’s kimono and hated to see it just hanging in the closet. It was from the Meiji Period and was made of silk. It’s the same for many of my friends--they know of beautiful old kimonos just gathering dust. I feel that the kimono has both cultural and historical significance. Young women now are losing that cultural identity. I want to help preserve it.Could you tell me about your training?
I studied for 13 years at a dress school in Kumamoto. I got my license after five years. I’ve been studying sado for eight years now. Someday I want to teach it.What is teaching kimono all about?
Western clothes, you see, are made to fit the chest, hips and rear; whereas kimono are meant to hide all body shapes. Towels are stuffed underneath, for example, to present a flat shape. During class, I first show how to put on the underwear. They are tied with a belt. That takes five minutes. For the kimono to fit properly, many adjustments are necessary--a pull here and a tug there. We practice putting one on several times in the one hour class. There are detailed rules for what type of kimono to wear according to the woman’s age. There are formal and informal kimono. Also, kimono styles have subtle differences in each region of the country. I explain how to bow, stand and sit when wearing kimono. Finally, I give explanations about the materials and dyes used in making a kimono.How much do the lessons cost?
For beginner-level classes--once a week for six months--the fee is ¥20,000. At this level, a student learns how to dress herself. The fees rise at the intermediate (learning to dress others) and advanced level (earning a license).What about the future?
I’m more interested in sado actually. It’s so deep. I’m studying The Book of Tea now. We learn to give up living a luxurious or complicated life. Living a simple life is best. Sado is about learning to concentrate and calm the mind. It takes a long time to improve concentration. People today are too busy. I don’t want future generations to forget these important parts of Japanese culture.the end
This interview was originally published in Kansai Time Out magazine.