"KIMONOIST 2025" to be held

I've been wearing kimonos almost every day since I was four years old, but the kimono you chose this time was an eye-opener, with a design I would never have thought of myself. The hakama has a gray pattern, the tabi socks are double-layered, and the collar has glitter - I feel like I've reached a new level at 72 years old. In the past, kimonos were often tailored to the season or customs, and were a high hurdle, but now I think they're more approachable, like a collaboration with art. I would encourage older people to take risks and enjoy kimonos.

I have been involved with kimonos through period dramas for a long time. I usually wear a lot of kimonos from the Edo period, so this was the first time I had the opportunity to wear a modern kimono with the theme of "new classics" like this one. Today I'm also wearing a light coat-like haori, which makes me want to dress up a little. Unlike when I was younger, at this age I've realized the depth and beauty of kimonos. It's lighter than what I normally wear, so I'd like to continue wearing it without worrying about it.

I wore sunglasses on stage because I felt embarrassed to walk around without singing. I'm learning to play the taiko drum, and when I performed live with some of Japan's leading taiko drummers, I had the opportunity to wear a kimono. As creators, we build sounds from nothing, but kimonos start with even more delicate threads. I thought it was amazing how she was able to combine that delicacy with an avant-garde feel.

I personally like the colors and chic feel. However, there are also vibrant white and yellow accents, and for the first time I was able to experience the joy of wearing a kimono as a unique style. I only have the opportunity to wear a kimono when I'm working on a project, but I think people who wear kimonos on a regular basis are dignified, elegant, and cool. I would like to be someone who looks good in a kimono.

The kimono is a chic red that is more mature than the colors I normally choose, and it gives me a sense of encouragement. I felt like I looked a little more mature than usual (lol). On the other hand, the lace used in the tabi socks made it feel more familiar. When I put on the kimono, I feel like I stand up straighter and even my manners become more beautiful. My grandmother is now 80 years old, and she loves kimonos, so I would love to show her one.

When I saw the kimono you selected for me, the words "dignity" and "passion" came to mind. These are exactly the keywords I always keep in mind when I'm on stage, and I hope to perform in this kimono one day. I've been learning the violin since I was four, and I think that both the violin and kimono have in common the fact that they are traditional arts that have been passed down for a long time. I believe that it is my mission to pass on traditional arts, so I would like to continue to convey them beyond musical genres.