Why I Want to Proudly Share My Grandmother’s Kimono

Introduction

Of course, I want people to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of traditional kimono.

But the reason behind this project is actually much simpler.

I simply want to proudly share my grandmother’s kimono with the world.

My grandmother passed away before I was born.

The only way I knew her was through old photographs and stories from my mother.

According to my mother, she was elegant, strong-willed, and deeply caring.

Even though I never met her, I always admired her.

Years later, my grandmother’s kimono eventually came into my hands.

The moment I saw them, I felt something difficult to explain.

The colors.
The patterns.
The atmosphere.

I suddenly realized:

“So this was her sense of beauty.”

For the first time, I felt close to my grandmother.

It made me incredibly happy.

Today in Japan, kimono are rarely worn in everyday life.

I also grew up in an environment where kimono felt very distant.

That is why one phrase came to my mind:

“Kimono sleeping away in drawers.”

I didn’t want that to happen.

These kimono were far too beautiful to remain unseen.

They carried emotion, memory, and a unique sense of aesthetics.

I wanted more people to see them.

And as a granddaughter, I simply wanted to say:

“Look how beautiful my grandmother’s kimono are.”

alo began from that simple feeling.

I want to preserve my grandmother’s kimono for the future.

I also want to transform my mother’s precious memories into something meaningful that can continue into the next generation.

And through this small personal archive, I hope to share the quiet beauty and aesthetics of Japan with the world.

Explore the Grandmother’s Kimono Archive
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