The Case of the Dying Kimono
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traditional kimono shops and schools, encouraging more innovative
approaches to kimono fashion.'^
A more local element is provided by local kimono clubs where
members meet for educational events, community outreach and
instructions on the finer points of wearing the kimono. One example is
the L.A. Kimono Club, which was founded in the Los Angeles area in
2003 with about forty members, mostly from the local JapaneseAmerican community. According to the club’s website, the group was
founded to “promote mutual understanding and cultural exchanges
between the U.S. and Japan through Kimono.”'^ The club is very active
in the Los Angeles area and their activities include an annual New Year’s
Day group photo in kimono, educational fashion shows, advice for
novice kimono wearers, participation in local festivals like the Cherry
Blossom Festival in Los Angeles, the Santa Anita Cultural Festival and
the celebration of Tanabata or the Star Festival in July. The group also
initiated a Miss Kimono L.A. pageant in 2010 to promote the wearing of
kimono among younger people. The contest appears to draw many young
people of diverse ages and ethnicities.
Some groups, such as Kimono de Jack, which started in Kyoto in
2010 are more ad hoc in nature, but are often driven by social media. The
idea was to occupy or “jack” a public space such as a park, museum or
train station while wearing kimono. The movement was a great success
in Japan and now includes overseas groups in London, New York,
California and Florida. Groups in the United States have met in a variety
of places, including museums and even a baseball game. The purpose is
to: “host free gatherings for people who like to wear kimono . . . There is
no mandatory dress code for kimono garb, just wear what you like.”'^
Many collectors and members of the kimono community actually
fit into several of the categories mentioned above. Devotees of kimono
have roots in the cosplay, fashion or arts communities. Cosplay is short
for “costume play” and the participants wear costumes representing
superheroes, film or anime characters or historical costumes. Cosplayers
frequently develop a subculture based upon role playing or historical
recreation.'® The term originated in )