Latest news with #Kimono
Sydney Morning Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Grief, art and a royal wedding: How one garment contains years of history
In Michiko Tsui's childhood home there was a room dedicated purely to embroidery. It was there that her mother, Fumiko Saito would create worlds, one kimono at a time. Michiko would help – holding the silk thread as her mother worked, and giving her massages as her fingers and shoulders cramped up. Embroidery began as a hobby for Saito. As for many young women growing up in Kyoto in the first half of the 20th century, the art form was taught as part of a good education. When Saito's husband died while their three children were young, however, she refined her skills and turned her art into a career. Now, Saito's work is on display in the National Gallery of Victoria as part of Kimono, an exhibition showcasing the history and evolution of the iconic garment. The work required great patience and was painstakingly exact, Tsui, who migrated to Melbourne in 1981, recalls. Her mother's career spanned three decades. One of the most public recognitions of Tsui's skills came in 1958 when she was tasked with embroidering the engagement kimono for the then future Crown Princess Michiko. At that time Kyoto was renowned for textiles and the Imperial family would have looked at the work of artisans working there, choosing the best. Saito later made a wedding kimono for her daughters to wear when they married. Featuring 20 vibrant orange and white cranes – a traditional wedding motif that symbolises longevity and happiness – the stunning garment took more than three months to make. While her two older sisters happily wore it, Tsui bucked the trend, opting instead for a modern version made from red silk. She and her sisters have donated the wedding kimono to the NGV and are thrilled it is being displayed, honouring their mother. 'I'm very happy … more people can see her exquisite handmade embroidery,' Tsui says, adding that the intricate sewing was hard work. According to curator Wayne Crothers, senior curator of Asian Art at the NGV, the kimono is a thing of great beauty. It also acts as something of a time capsule, he says, tracing the evolution of Japanese society from the 17th century to today. The garment illustrates 'changing fashion, cultural icons, class structure and ingenuity of creativity with materials and techniques'. 'It is a very impactful exhibition – we all love beautiful objects and in that instinctual sense, it's a really nice experience,' he says. 'It's not just a textiles exhibition … it's a historical journey from the Edo period, which is when it was what everyone wore... to current day, high-end kimono fashion.' More than 70 stunning pieces are on display, including seven dating back to the 1600s and 1700s when they were worn by the samurai and merchant classes. But kimonos were not the exclusive domain of the wealthy; even the very poor wore kimono, sometimes creating them from scraps of material. One of these is part of the show, made in the Meiji period (1868–1912), from more than 100 pieces stitched together. It is one of the most popular designs featured, says Crothers. Known as boro or rag kimono, ' Boro textiles are the creations of unknown craftspeople who never intended for them to be viewed as things of beauty,' as noted in the show. 'However, in a contemporary context they have a collage-like quality, their spontaneous designs imbued with a life and spirituality of their own.' There are sleepwear kimonos, undergarments (a bit like a kimono-shaped petticoat) to wear beneath some of the more ornate designs, and insights into etiquette - short-sleeved kimono are generally worn by married women, long-sleeved are designed for young women, for example. The obi, or belts worn with kimono, are an art in themselves, tied in different ways according to who is wearing them and the occasion on which they are worn. Accessories such as wedding sandals and other examples of the shoes worn with kimonos, head pieces (some crafted from turtle shells), handbags, fans and more are part of the show. The attention to detail underlines the Japanese commitment to all elements of design. Loading Kimono also provides insights into various artistic practices, including wood printing and dying techniques – particularly shibori, a manual dyeing technique that creates patterns on fabric by binding, folding, stitching or clamping it, with its distinctive blues. Japanese culture had a big impact on the West during the late 19th and 20th centuries, a period known in art history as Japonisme. Artists including Van Gogh and Monet created works referencing ideas and works found in Japanese art. It wasn't just art – early 20th century Western fashion was inspired by the kimono's design and silhouette. Several examples reference this in the show, including a Liberty & Co coat, an evening coat by Parisian couturier Callot Soeurs, and a day coat by Parisian couturier Paul Poiret. Japanese influences would come to the fore again from the 1980s onwards, as shown in more recent garments by John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Zambesi and Rudi Gernreich. Sydney-based fashion designer Akira Isogawa drew heavily on the kimono as an influence, as his work shown attests; there are also two vibrant ensembles by the late Issey Miyake. Pieces by contemporary Japanese designers Robe Japonica, Modern Antenna and Y&SONS are also on display, as is some of the latest in Harajuku street fashion and cute 'kawaii' styles. Designer Hiroko Takahashi's creations reflect contemporary takes on the garment. She uses black and white fabric and models her work in a powerful, feisty stance, rejecting traditional imagery and gendered colours. Crothers says there's a resurgence of interest in the traditional garment in Japan: young people are rediscovering kimonos and appreciating it as a key part of their heritage. 'They want to wear something that expresses their personality and not the kimono that their [parents and grandparents] wore,' he says. 'They want to own it for themselves.'
The Age
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Grief, art and a royal wedding: How one garment contains years of history
In Michiko Tsui's childhood home there was a room dedicated purely to embroidery. It was there that her mother, Fumiko Saito would create worlds, one kimono at a time. Michiko would help – holding the silk thread as her mother worked, and giving her massages as her fingers and shoulders cramped up. Embroidery began as a hobby for Saito. As for many young women growing up in Kyoto in the first half of the 20th century, the art form was taught as part of a good education. When Saito's husband died while their three children were young, however, she refined her skills and turned her art into a career. Now, Saito's work is on display in the National Gallery of Victoria as part of Kimono, an exhibition showcasing the history and evolution of the iconic garment. The work required great patience and was painstakingly exact, Tsui, who migrated to Melbourne in 1981, recalls. Her mother's career spanned three decades. One of the most public recognitions of Tsui's skills came in 1958 when she was tasked with embroidering the engagement kimono for the then future Crown Princess Michiko. At that time Kyoto was renowned for textiles and the Imperial family would have looked at the work of artisans working there, choosing the best. Saito later made a wedding kimono for her daughters to wear when they married. Featuring 20 vibrant orange and white cranes – a traditional wedding motif that symbolises longevity and happiness – the stunning garment took more than three months to make. While her two older sisters happily wore it, Tsui bucked the trend, opting instead for a modern version made from red silk. She and her sisters have donated the wedding kimono to the NGV and are thrilled it is being displayed, honouring their mother. 'I'm very happy … more people can see her exquisite handmade embroidery,' Tsui says, adding that the intricate sewing was hard work. According to curator Wayne Crothers, senior curator of Asian Art at the NGV, the kimono is a thing of great beauty. It also acts as something of a time capsule, he says, tracing the evolution of Japanese society from the 17th century to today. The garment illustrates 'changing fashion, cultural icons, class structure and ingenuity of creativity with materials and techniques'. 'It is a very impactful exhibition – we all love beautiful objects and in that instinctual sense, it's a really nice experience,' he says. 'It's not just a textiles exhibition … it's a historical journey from the Edo period, which is when it was what everyone wore... to current day, high-end kimono fashion.' More than 70 stunning pieces are on display, including seven dating back to the 1600s and 1700s when they were worn by the samurai and merchant classes. But kimonos were not the exclusive domain of the wealthy; even the very poor wore kimono, sometimes creating them from scraps of material. One of these is part of the show, made in the Meiji period (1868–1912), from more than 100 pieces stitched together. It is one of the most popular designs featured, says Crothers. Known as boro or rag kimono, ' Boro textiles are the creations of unknown craftspeople who never intended for them to be viewed as things of beauty,' as noted in the show. 'However, in a contemporary context they have a collage-like quality, their spontaneous designs imbued with a life and spirituality of their own.' There are sleepwear kimonos, undergarments (a bit like a kimono-shaped petticoat) to wear beneath some of the more ornate designs, and insights into etiquette - short-sleeved kimono are generally worn by married women, long-sleeved are designed for young women, for example. The obi, or belts worn with kimono, are an art in themselves, tied in different ways according to who is wearing them and the occasion on which they are worn. Accessories such as wedding sandals and other examples of the shoes worn with kimonos, head pieces (some crafted from turtle shells), handbags, fans and more are part of the show. The attention to detail underlines the Japanese commitment to all elements of design. Loading Kimono also provides insights into various artistic practices, including wood printing and dying techniques – particularly shibori, a manual dyeing technique that creates patterns on fabric by binding, folding, stitching or clamping it, with its distinctive blues. Japanese culture had a big impact on the West during the late 19th and 20th centuries, a period known in art history as Japonisme. Artists including Van Gogh and Monet created works referencing ideas and works found in Japanese art. It wasn't just art – early 20th century Western fashion was inspired by the kimono's design and silhouette. Several examples reference this in the show, including a Liberty & Co coat, an evening coat by Parisian couturier Callot Soeurs, and a day coat by Parisian couturier Paul Poiret. Japanese influences would come to the fore again from the 1980s onwards, as shown in more recent garments by John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Zambesi and Rudi Gernreich. Sydney-based fashion designer Akira Isogawa drew heavily on the kimono as an influence, as his work shown attests; there are also two vibrant ensembles by the late Issey Miyake. Pieces by contemporary Japanese designers Robe Japonica, Modern Antenna and Y&SONS are also on display, as is some of the latest in Harajuku street fashion and cute 'kawaii' styles. Designer Hiroko Takahashi's creations reflect contemporary takes on the garment. She uses black and white fabric and models her work in a powerful, feisty stance, rejecting traditional imagery and gendered colours. Crothers says there's a resurgence of interest in the traditional garment in Japan: young people are rediscovering kimonos and appreciating it as a key part of their heritage. 'They want to wear something that expresses their personality and not the kimono that their [parents and grandparents] wore,' he says. 'They want to own it for themselves.'
Leaders
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Japan Park Attracts Anime Fans to BLVD City in Riyadh
Japan Park, one of Boulevard City's interactive spaces, has attracted large crowds of Esports World Cup (EWC) audiences, currently taking place in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The unique zone offers a comprehensive visual and sensory experience that takes visitors to the heart of the Japanese culture. It features diverse activities that combine entertainment and cultural experiences. The journey at Japan Park starts with visitors wearing the traditional Kimono to immerse them in an authentic Japanese experience. Visitors engage with their favorite anime and manga characters roaming the area. They also have an extraordinary opportunity to capture memorable photos with prominent interactive figures of iconic characters such as Gundam and Vegapunk. Furthermore, the Japan Park includes daily workshops for Japanese calligraphy, during which visitors learn traditional writing arts and how to write their names in Kanji. The area also involves specialized workshops for Origami and the craftsmanship of traditional Japanese fans (Uchiwa), featuring professional Japanese artisans. Meanwhile, the area includes traditional Japanese games, such as Kendama and Go, a series of educational and interactive games that attracts visitors of all ages and introduce them to the traditional Japanese entertainment. The Japan Park's mini-theater hosts daily performances presenting traditional Japanese dances, and live shows inspired by popular anime series, featuring performers dressed in the characters' costumes. The exceptional experience is complemented by restaurants serving mouthwatering Japanese dishes, such as Sushi and Ramen, as well as traditional desserts like Mochi. The Japan Park has become one of Riyadh Season's most attractive destinations for anime and manga fans, drawing a large number of local and international visitors in an experience that vividly demonstrates anime world and modern Japan in the heart of Riyadh. Short link :
Courier-Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
3 shows worth visiting Melbourne for this winter
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetle… If you know, you know. The audience at Beetlejuice the Musical, on at the Regent Theatre until August 31, certainly did and loved this witty adaptation of the cult film. Eddie Perfect, who plays the titular naughty demon, tells the audience, 'It's a funny show about death,' but it's as touching as it is irreverent. I saw it on a winter trip to Melbourne, a chaser to a few days of culture that began with Rising, a refreshingly offbeat 12-day festival of art, music, and theatre. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY There's a friendly rivalry among cities in Australia, all vying to be the cultural destination this winter. For me, it's hard to beat Melbourne for its art, culture and, of course, food. A cornerstone this year is the French Impressionism exhibition from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on until October 5 at the National Gallery of Victoria. Eight years in the making, it's a do-over after the original show was cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic. I daresay the new iteration is even better, with extra works added. The Boston Museum's collection is renowned, and having more than100 works on display is extraordinary. The exhibition traces the late 19th-century movement, featuring key figures who rejected state-sponsored Salon conventions and exhibited their 'impressionistic' works elsewhere. It highlights that Impressionism was once unpopular, these artists seen as rebellious for their innovative techniques and unique subjects. A cornerstone this year is the French Impressionism exhibition from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on until October 5 at the National Gallery of Victoria. Picture: Dan Castano/Supplied. Visitors can see 16 remarkable Monet works in a room resembling the oval Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, featuring haystacks, lilies, street scenes, and snowy landscapes. Along with works by my favourite, Berthe Morisot, and Paul Cézanne, Édouard Manet and Claude Monet, the show offers a sensory experience amplified by a magnificent set-up reminiscent of grand Bostonian mansions, with red panelling, gold ormolu, and velvet sofas creating a sumptuous ambience. Round off the exhibition with a visit to Kimono (until October 5), as part of a combined ticket. The Impressionists were inspired by Japanese printmaking, making it a perfect complement. Showcasing 70-plus garments from the NGV's collection, it's a feast of embroidered silk kimonos adorned with birds and flowers, as well as lacquerware, accessories, woodblocks and posters. It features work from the Edo period to today, including contemporary pieces by Issey Miyake and Kyoto designer Jotaro Saito, from a long line of artisans, reminding us that the kimono remains a timeless garment. Round off the exhibition with a visit to Kimono (until October 5), as part of a combined ticket. Picture: Mitch Fong/Supplied. Where to eat in Melbourne Keep the French theme going at Chris Lucas's chic Maison Bâtard. Its niçoise is delicious, but the cheeseburger – mon dieu! Where to stay in Melbourne Hyde Melbourne Place is a brilliant addition to the city's hotel offerings. The writer travelled to Melbourne as a guest of Visit Victoria. Originally published as 3 shows worth visiting Melbourne for this winter
Arab News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Kimono' – Japanese cuisine in Riyadh
Kimono is not just another Japanese restaurant in the Kingdom's capital but a bold reinterpretation of the cuisine through a Saudi lens. Since its launch in 2018, Kimono has blended culinary precision with casual, modern street-style vibes, offering dishes that are as creative as they are comforting. Beef tacos were a standout: tenderloin wrapped in crunchy shells, coated with a gochujang glaze and topped with a tropical mango-pineapple salsa. The result is a culinary fusion that surprises and works. The kimono crab salad was equally refreshing, full of texture from the tempura flakes and tobiko, with a touch of indulgence from the creamy house sauce and crispy potato chips. Shrimp tempura was served golden and light, with a sweet-spicy ginger dip that added balance. The gyoza shrimp dumplings were delicate, juicy, and paired perfectly with a signature soy-based sauce. Maki rolls and double crab were both flavorful standouts, rich in texture and layered taste. The avocado craze roll brought together creaminess and spice with precision, while the salmon sashimi offered a clean, fresh bite for those who prefer simplicity. For a warm, hearty option, try the the beef ramen, which is beautifully assembled with slices of grilled meat, vegetables, and a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg -- a dish that warms you from the inside out. Kimono has mastered the art of reinventing Japanese cuisine, while staying approachable and trend-forward. There are four branches in the Kingdom, and the concept deserves to expand further. For more information, check their Instagram @
