Reflections on Kimono − 着物について

credit: ask.com

By their very nature kimono are delicate and need extra care; most are silk and require special cleaning. This means that in order to look as beautiful as possible, each one needs to be folded and put away with care after each wear. This helps to preserve the garment and to keep it from creasing when stored. Kimonos are often stored wrapped in paper called tatōshi.

着物は非常にデリケートな物なのだ。ほとんどの着物はシルクで作られているので、クリーニングも特別な方法でしなければいけない。着物の美しさを守るためには、着物を畳んでから着物用のたとう紙に包むのが普通なのだ。こうすると着物がしわしわにならないのだ。

This may prove to be the most challenging part for me. By the time I'm ready to take my kimono off, I'm really ready to just have it off (in a pile, like the rest of my clothes) - but it requires an additional 10 to 20 minutes, to fold everything and put it all away.

着物を畳むのは本当に難しい。私は着物を脱いだ後、着物を普通の洋服みたいに脱いだままにしておきたいけど、そうにはいかない。ちゃんと片付けるのには10-20分ぐらいもかかる。

I have a great canvas storage box I bought at Ikea years ago, and it holds all the kimono pieces perfectly and fits neatly under my sofa. Waiting until the next kimono day.

私は着物を何年前Ikeaで買ってソファの下においてある箱の中に入れている。次着物を着る日までこのままにしておくつもりだ。