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KIMONO AND OBI

HERE IS evidence that the kimono is not as simple as it looks. Far from it. In fact, in addition to considerable strength necessary to put it together, it also requires several odd little gadgets, some of which may be described briefly as a miniature pillow, a ten-inch metal clip and several small sashes. In any case, once the obi and kimono are successfully put together with a pretty girl inside the result is one of the world’s most beautiful feminine costumes and well worth the trouble.

Neither the kimono nor the obi is an inexpensive proposition. The New Year’s kimono of a seventeen-year-old Japanese girl will be every bit as costly as her American sister’s first formal. Japanese kimono may look alike to Westerners but to a Japanese each is different and the age and social status of the wearer and season of the year can be told at a glance.

Incidentally, kimono in Japanese means clothing in general rather than this particular outfit.

“But it seemed so easy when Mother did it.”