Imagine One World Kimono Project
“No need for greed or hunger… a brotherhood of man… and the world will live as one…” The poignant lyrics of John Lennon’s famous song “Imagine” came to life as hundreds of artisans and craftsmen worked together in harmony to complete 213 handmade kimonos exclusively created in honour of participating countries in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic (which took place in 2021).
Italy
Austria
New Zealand
Visionary Japanese designer Yoshimasa Takakura spearheaded The One World Kimono Project. The future of kimono is under threat, due to fewer people wearing it today and the dying out of ageing experienced artisans and kimono makers. His desire to keep the kimono alive was inspired by the Japanese Olympic Games in 1964 where women dressed in traditional kimono performed the medal presentation.
213 kimonos transcend borders
Third-generation kimono master Yoshimasa Takakura
He went around Japan to engage master craftsmen – kimono makers, designers, weavers and other artisans. Most of the kimonos were made by Japanese designers, with the exception of two: the obi (sash) for the Palestinian kimono was created by refugees using embroidery as the primary technique; and the kimono designed for Indonesia was made using batik wax technique.
“I want people to be proud of this heritage that was cultivated in this country. I hope to encourage everyone in Japan to preserve this art, not just now but fifty or even a hundred years in the future,” according to Yoshimasa, who believes that “like sports, the art world has the power to transcend border”.
A different artist or studio using traditional handweaving and dyeing techniques created each kimono. Each design team carefully worked with each embassy to ensure that the kimono was designed to reflect the country’s cultural heritage. Each kimono cost around JP¥ two million (roughly US$17,524) to produce, which was covered by donations from crowdsourcing campaigns as well as domestic and foreign individuals and companies.
The third-generation kimono maker from Kurume (a city in southern Japan) says: “I accepted the challenge to move forward. I am really satisfied – it was worth making. To propel culture forward it is important to do things you have never experienced. By taking on something they have never done, artisans give birth to new designs. Stepping up to the challenge also points them in a new direction of styles and skills.”
The One World Kimono Project is a gesture of friendship and peace. Launched in 2014 work on the project started in 2017 and was fully completed in 2021.
All 213 kimonos and obis were put on display in a special exhibition at “Musée du Kimono” in the Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art in October 2020. The kimonos were worn at the opening ceremony in Tokyo in July 2021. The Imagine One World Kimono Project collection will be shown at the 2025 Osaka and Kansai Expo.
Debbie | ws
(Images: Kengo Maeda and Kimono Project) | More kimono photos | Kimono Project video | Facebook