The 9th Japanese Culture Class -Kimono- was held on February 2, 2012. The instructors of the class were headed by Ms. Eiko Nakayama, Kimono dressing instructor from the Sodo Sumire Reiho Kimono School.

At the beginning, 16 Participants received a lecture about the twelve-layered ceremonial kimono worn by Japanese court lady, the origin of the Kimono, and a historical change in kimono from Heian period to Edo period. The instructor also introduced a quarter size of kimono replicated from one used in the wedding ceremony of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. The participants enjoyed their feeling of silk and beauty of colors.

Then the participants wore three types of kimono including Noshi, Uchigi, and Kosode, which were actually used in a long-running historical drama "Tairano Kiyomori" and "Atsuhime" on NHK TV. The participants experienced that how ancient Heian-nobles wore a many-layered kimono and bore the weight of it, which was a hot topic among them during the class.

A quarter size of the replicated wedding kimono.

Kosode, a quilted silk garment.

(From left to right) Noshi, a dailey clothes for summer for nobles, Uchigi, and Noshi for winter.

The instructors help a participant to wear kimono.

Uchigi, a lustrous silk robe mainly for ladies.

Group photo of the participatns and the instructors.