[Project] I will decipher kimono patterns.

Something very auspicious has happened.

The Japanese language teacher knk, whom I (stalker-ishly) follow on note, has gotten engaged✨✨

And so, at this auspicious time, along with a truly enchanting photo of her in a kimono, she dared to introduce my article, the "Kichijo-monyo" (Auspicious Patterns) trilogy!!

I am deeply moved😭 Happiness continues even further.

After seeing that, yumetama-san purchased the entire trilogy set!

It turns out yumetama-san's son has gotten engaged, so the happy news just keeps coming❤️❤️❤️

I only recently started reading yumetama-san's articles, but first of all, her monkey icon is so cute that I felt jealous!! It seems she drew it herself, and it's a style I really like; it's wonderful.

Furthermore, her article about her son's engagement touched my heart, and I found myself projecting it onto my own son (who is still 4 years old) and tearing up, which had the happy side effect of me becoming a little kinder to him afterward. Anyway, I am so happy that both of you took the time to read my articles during such auspicious yet busy times, and I have received happiness from you in return.

One thing occurred to me here.

This trilogy contains 12 x 3 = 36 auspicious patterns.

If you include the Shippo pattern I introduced in a separate article, that makes 37.

It's not a number you can memorize all at once, and if you include patterns I haven't introduced yet, there are countless more, so I think it might be quite difficult to look at an actual kimono and decipher its meaning.

So!

Ta-da, here is a project!!

I will decipher kimono patterns


If you would like to know the meaning of the patterns on a kimono you have, please post an article with a photo of that kimono, and I will do my best as an amateur to decipher it and write an article about it.

It would be even happier to know the meaning of kimonos (or obi) worn by you or your precious family members for events like shrine visits, Shichi-Go-San, the Thirteen-Year-Old Shrine Visit, coming-of-age ceremonies, or weddings.

How about a kimono you inherited from a loved one? Doesn't it have lovely patterns on it?

Although I am still inexperienced,
I will do my best to research
and answer things I don't know.

Now, here is how to participate.

1. Post a photo of the kimono (or obi) whose pattern (design) meaning you want to know in your article. (Photos with people are okay)
　

2. Feel free to write or draw your thoughts, explanations, or memories regarding that kimono.
(Audio is also okay)

3. Attach a link to this article of mine that you are currently viewing,
[Project] I will decipher kimono patterns.
　to the article you post.

4. Post it with the tag #【Project】Kimono Pattern Deciphering
.

If you don't include 3 and 4,
I won't be able to find it.
Please don't forget.

Also, please use photos where the pattern (design) is
easy to see.


Patterns from the Taisho era onwards
often don't have
fixed meanings,
but I will research that as well
and reply to you.


Some patterns on everyday wear or yukata
also have meanings that cannot be identified.
For example, flower or grass patterns
that are not specific ones like cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, or bamboo,
but are just drawn
as flowers or grasses.


In those cases,
I will write some kind of impression
and reply.



Of course, the quality of a kimono
is not determined by whether it has a specific pattern or not!


I think this will likely be a small-scale
project, so
I will not set a deadline.

Feel free to use this to show off your family members wearing kimonos!
Of course, I also love it when you show off yourself!
Because I am busy until November 1st,


I will post the deciphering articles
after that date.
Once I receive your entry, I will add it to the magazine.

It's fine to participate with a light feeling,
like just introducing a kimono, and having the meaning of the pattern
be secondary!

I am looking forward to
your participation!😊

Added on December 10, 2020

The articles from those who participated and the deciphering articles can be found here↓.