#oneworldkimono

With St.Paddy’s Day just around the corner, what better time to admire the One World Kimono Project, which created a unique kimono for each of the countries participating in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer.  

From their Facebook post:This kimono is designed to show the pride of Ireland, its culture and nature, such as shamrocks drawn in Celtic patterns around St. Patrick Cross, reliefs of Ireland’s great men and world heritage landscapes. Flying fairies in the national colors of green and orange are accents. The belt is hand-woven shamrocks and Celtic cultural icons in a characteristic weave in bold Irish style. 

This tribute to Ireland was actually created by Okayama Kogei, a design house near Kyoto, that our Kyoto Kimono Tours have visited for many years.  (CLICK HERE to watch a video of our 2016 tour - the Okayama Kogei visit is at 3min28sec.) 

 CLICK HERE to visit the Okayama Kogei website and watch a video about their process.

We love the concept and the results of this multi-year project to create a kimono designed with the special motifs of each of the 206 counties on Earth.  The project has a simple, beautiful mission:

-To make one special hand-woven Kimono and Obi (sash) for each country in the world based on its own unique image. -To send a warm message of mutual respect and unity to the world through sharing the graceful and elegant Japanese expression of art and beauty, the Kimono. -To contribute to the continuation of this form of Japan's traditional cultural heritage for future generations.

This is their tribute to the USA: