Dear Friends,
I really hope you're all looking after yourselves and loved ones during this challenging situation. Let all of us believe that we will overcome these difficult times.
The one good thing we can consider is that spring, and the blossoming of flowers is alive in NYC. Flowers give us peace of mind. I have become so aware of the many magnolia trees in Manhattan, and the blossoms are facing up to the sky they are gorgeous and full of vitality.
At this time I would like to share a story about a kimono. A couple of years ago my good friend's mother passed away, as a result, my friend gave me her mother's obi, which is a broad sash of a Japanese kimono. This obi has a hand-drawn magnolia blossom and the magnolia has become one of my favorites. Every time I wear this obi, I think of my friend and her mother. This is probably why I have become so fond of magnolias.
Honestly, when I was young I didn't like kimonos at all, but a few years ago I changed my mind after I was invited to a client's wedding. Actually, they became great friends and their ceremony was being held at their beautiful property in the Canadian mountains. It was a very formal wedding. At first, I wondered what I would wear, but I came up with a wonderful idea.
Many years ago my mother made me some beautiful kimonos and one of them was for a formal occasion. Those kimonos had been sleeping for many years in the kimono chest of drawers at my parents' home. I called my father and asked him to ship the formal one to New York. Imagine this kimono had been made for me twenty-five years ago and had never been worn. This kimono still fits me perfectly. I realized that the kimono is the ultimate sustainable fashion and I finally grew to love them.
I have since acquired more kimonos. The magnolia obi is one of them. Every time I wear them, I am always thinking of the person who used to wear it, such as my mother, my grandmother, my aunt, friends, and my friend’s mother.
I cherish them and I will probably pass them on someday, but it has to be someone special because the kimono has to be happy too.
Currently, many large cities around the world are on lockdown. Ironically, the air seems cleaner and maybe the earth is happier. This may be a good opportunity to think about our lives. We need to physically keep a social distance, but we shouldn't be isolated. Let's take care of our family, friends, ourselves, and things around us. Please stay healthy.
Best,
Kumiko
Edited by Janice Ensminger