While traveling through the streets of Tokyo we saw some ladies and a couple of gentlemen donning traditional Japanese kimonos. I was intrigued. Were they as comfy as they looked? Luckily, our tour guide for the day had taken a year long class in order to learn how to properly fit a person for a kimono and on the day she taught us to make the most colorful sushi in her home she offered to do a special kimono fitting for both Peter and myself.
Shite kudasai hai – that’s “yes, please” in Japanese.
One of the most quintessential Japanese things to do in Tokyo started with a layer of padding. Women in kimonos should have a cylinder shape rather than the curvy figure known to be appealing in America. I needed a little extra padding just under my breasts because our guide, Tomomi, said that I have big boobs. Yep, those are the words that came from her mouth and I will never forget it, because that has never been said to me before. By anybody. Ever.
Apparently, B cup boobs are well-endowed in Japan. I like Japan.
After the padding was in place the strategic kimono fitting began. The cloth must be layered left over right (to remember say “leftover rice”), if you do it backwards you are dressing a corpse.
I can not be a corpse, there are too many things remaining unchecked on my bucket list.
After folding the fabric ‘leftover rice’, the bottom of the kimono needed to be inspected. It should be going straight down, reconfirming the cylinder shape and not bell out. Tomomi also made sure that the little exposed area on the back of my neck was perfectly straight as this section is supposed to be sexy. Who couldn’t use a little sexy? Then she checked the front to make certain I was fully covered with no wrinkles.
The obi, kimono belt, was then wrapped tightly around my upper waist which made me stand a little taller.
She expertly tied a decorative knot in the back.
I will admit that this attire was not as comfy as it looked while others were wearing it on the streets of Tokyo, but it kept me from slouching.
After my kimono fitting was complete, Peter got his chance too, which was a simpler process because the bow in the back did not have to be executed.
We were all dressed, ready for a festival or an evening at Kabuki Theater, which are the typical reasons the Japanese wear kimonos these days. Maybe we will just eat sushi instead.
Book Tour Guide > Tokyo Tours with Tomomi
Book Tour > Walk the Streets of Asakusa in a Kimono
Book Tour > Wear a Kimono at a traditional house in the Bonsai Museum
Book Tour > Experience a tea ceremony or wearing kimono at Bonsai Museum
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Your kimono is gorgeous!
Thanks! I picked out the white and purple flowered fabric kimono, but she did a wonderful job dressing me.
Haha this is awesome, you guys look so cute!
How much was it? Did they do your hair and make up too? Looks so nice!
She did put up my hair, but did not do my makeup. We hired her as a personal tour guide for the day for around $200. She took us to the Fish Market, to a Sumo wrestling stable, taught us how to make sushi, took us to a museum and then dressed us in kimonos.