4/07/2011

Kimono in Canada - Part II - カナダで着物 パート2


I'm from Toronto, in Canada. And the current fad in Toronto for the last couple of years has been sushi! So much so that now it seems like there is a sushi restaurant on every block! But wait - before you run off to Toronto to test for yourself - let me tell you that the 'food & safety council' passed a measure that all 'raw' sushi has to be flash frozen first (to allegedly kill off parasites and other nasties) - but, as you can imagine, what it really kills off is the flavour! But, beggars and can't be choosers and Torontonians are crazy for sushi!

わたしは、カナダのトロント出身です。そして、トロントでの近年のブームは、なんとお寿司なのです!もう、すべての道にお寿司屋さんができているというほどです。でも皆さん、トロントに飛んで行く前に待って!食品安全カウンシルは、生のお寿司はすべて急速冷凍しなければならないという基準を作ったのです。寄生虫とかそのような危険をなくすためだそうだが、味も完全になくなってしまったのです!まあ、トロント人は気にしていないけど。


And, in the last year or so even the concept of Izakya has started. Toronto seems crazy for Japan! Food, anyways. Kimono, not so much! When we headed down to the popular waterfront for a little photoshoot, I was completely surprised that no one stopped to notice the kimono. No one even took a second glance. Nothing. The only attention I could get was from the swans! And even that took some work! (I'm whistling at them).

さらに、この1年、日本の「居酒屋」というコンセプトもトロントで登場してきました。トロントは日本のこと、大好きですよね!まあ、食べ物に関しては。お着物の方はまだまだかな。人気のある海岸まで着物姿の写真を撮りに歩いて行った時、だれからも、何の反応がなかったのです!とてもびっくりしました。振り返ってくれる人さえもいませんでした。私に興味を持ってくれたのはダチョウだけでした。それだって私が口笛を吹いたから!


In the end, the swans did come over but they were the only one who gave me any mind. I have no idea why the passer-bys weren't intrigued or curious about a non-Japanese woman in kimono? I don't think I've ever seen a woman in kimono on the street, or at the waterfront in Toronto, so it's not like Torontotonians are 'over it'. Maybe they just thought I was wearing a long black dress. Back to Japan, time to leave the grey and brown behind and get back to smiling faces and cherry blossoms.

トロントの道で女性が着物姿で散歩するのを見て、どうしてだれも不思議だと思わなかったのだろう。少なくとも私は一回も見たことがないので、トロント人がもう「飽きた」というわけでもないはずなのに。ただの長い、黒いドレスを着ていたように思われたのかしら。
日本に帰国後は、こういうグレーやブラウンはやめて、桜や笑顔に戻るわ。

1 comment:

  1. Seeing Toronto view with kimono is really sweet ! I was expecting people to make bad comment or look strange at you ....but probably that 'bigger' city is more like you ignore what is different. If I would wore a Yukata in my hometown I would get really strange look from the people! I'm sure of that. More the city is small ...more you get that kind of high effect ...but probably not the best. I got a different style of clothes from usual people here ...and when I was walking with my cousin ...she said that was weird to walk with me because almost all people passing by was looking back at me. Luckily I dont seem to see it lol. I'm off topic sorry !

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