WASHINGTON (7News) — This weekend, the cherry trees lining the Tidal Basin are expected to reach their peak bloom. During the festivities, Japanese culture and heritage are celebrated throughout. Tokiya Japan, a local Japanese boutique featuring kimonos, traditional pottery, and authentic art is set to bring Japanese culture to the DMV. Tomomi Miyajima, founder of Tokiya Japan, taught Good Morning Washington’s Megan Clarke how to wear a traditional kimono and gave a brief lesson about the cultural practices associated with it.
Tokiya Japan, named after Miyajima’s hometown of Toki, often hosts cultural immersion events, such as sake tasting, traditional tea ceremonies, and kimono fashion shows. The shop displays Minoyaki pottery, a traditional Japanese ceramic style, rich with thousands of years of history, created by seasoned artists. Tokiya Japan also features art created by special-needs students from Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Miyajima encourages anyone to try a kimono, clarifying that it is for everyone, regardless of gender, age, or body type. “To someone who has never touched [a kimono], it may look a bit intimidating because it may look complicated. But it’s actually a very simple, comfortable garment,” said Miyajima. “It’s like origami art or fabric art on your body.”
According to Miyajima, kimonos have different categories and rules that are simple to follow. Miyajima showcased how to wear a yukata kimono, a light, summer version of a kimono that is simple to put on and is suitable for festivals, firework shows, dancing, or light outdoor activities.
Along with the yukata kimono, Miyajima introduced a furisode kimono, complete with flowing sleeves, good for a traditional wedding or formal-attire gala. She also presented a hakama kimono, a type of formal menswear. Miyajima described how these rules are slowly becoming more relaxed in modern Japan. “As long as you feel comfortable and as long as you have love and respect for the host, anything can be fine,” she said.
For Miyajima, the cherry blossom season marks an excellent time to get involved and connect with Japanese traditions. “I’m so grateful that people look at the cherry blossoms and think about the Japanese culture,” she said. On Sunday, March 30th, Tokiya Japan is hosting a kimono fashion show at Dupont Underground to commemorate the cherry blossom season and teach people how to choose, wear, and style a traditional kimono.
To stay connected with Miyajima and Tokiya Japan, visit tokiyajapan.com or follow @tokiyajapan on Instagram.
AloJapan.com