Miho Iwata: Actually, at first I wanted to become a Western style designer, but after my best friend chose to learn Western clothes design, I decided to learn something different, and that led me to continue on to Japanese fashion school. For most Japanese people, kimono is just clothing that we would wear during traditional ceremonies. But while studying kimono, I can see the charm of kimono. In Japanese society kimono are usually passed down from mother to daughter and so on, being taken care of through many generations. So, there is a historical and nostalgic element in kimono that I like.

MI: I believe every job has its own hardships. For me, the hardest thing is when I am not satisfied with my sewing result. I feel disappointed when the result does not meet my expectations. But at the same time that also becomes a challenge that motivates me to keep going.

MI: As you can see, I work by myself, so I tried to keep everything simple and minimalist while using these tools efficiently. However, the tool I use the most is my own foot. It may sound strange but actually this technique has been practiced since long ago, and it has come to be called "otoko-nui" (which can be translated as "man`s sewing"). As the name hints, this technique was used by mostly men in the Edo period, particularly in Tokyo, as Kyoto (the place most famous for traditional kimono production) and Tokyo had different ways to produce Kimono. In the past, surprisingly many of the Kimono makers were men, because it requires some strength to hold the cloth and such. In order to save time they used their feet to hold and stretch the cloth. This technique allowed them to sew dynamically and faster. Despite some female kimono makers applying this technique nowadays, it is still referred to as “otoko-nui”. At first I was having a hard time mastering this technique, but after much practice, my leg can now work as my third hand. It`s very effective and time-saving, just as the kimono-making men in the Edo period realized.

MI: Recently, there are many kimono makers that turn to machinery for its efficiency and speed. But, I believe that using a sewing machine would harm the material as the needle pierces the cloth vertically. Moreover, because it uses two strings of thread to sew, it makes the cloth stiffer and harder to stretch. On the other hand, the hand-sewing technique uses only one string of thread and pierces through the cloth diagonally, which results in more stretchable kimono and will also be easier to modify in the future. These advantages are, of course, all in addition to keeping to the traditional aspects and charm of hand-sewn kimono.

MI: I think that not so many Japanese people bother to have their own kimono specially made. However, there are some people who still appreciate the beauty and charm of traditional style hand-made kimono. I would say that I do not have a fixed amount of monthly reservations, as it fluctuates due to the season since most of my customers will order kimono for just special occasions.

MI: Good question. Unexpectedly, I own quite a lot of kimono. They are mostly old kimono that were passed down by my grandmother which I would modify. Sometimes I also buy old vintage cloth to make my own kimono. There are many modern style patterns nowadays, but I prefer the vintage patterns which I can get easily around Asagaya kimono shops.

MI: To make a kimono, there are some simple steps you have to go through first. For example, first and foremost we must choose the cloth. Some people submit their own cloth that they want to use and in some cases I assist in choosing the material and color that suits them best. Next, we take body measurements, then fix any strain of the cloth necessary and cut them before entering the sewing process. The sewing usually takes only 2 days. However, since there are so many other procedures before the final fitting, it takes roughly one week to finish. Also, since I work independently, when there are a lot of orders sometimes it may take up to two weeks.

MI: I would like more people to know about traditional Japanese clothing. For the amount of work involved, kimono makers don’t exactly have a great financial situation. Due to that along with loss of interest among young people, it is said that the number of kimono makers is decreasing, and that this traditional craft may be lost. Therefore, I wish to spread the importance and appreciation of handmade traditional Japanese clothing so that the number of the kimono makers can increase in the future.

MI: Nowadays, there are many varieties of kimono materials and designs that foreign people can choose from. Yet, there are still few people who can have the chance to have their own kimono custom-made, which I think is more delicate and an amazing experience that people should try, especially if they are interested in Japanese kimono. So, if you are interested, please try to get one custom-made kimono. With great care, you can pass it to your child and grandchild and I believe it would become a very special treasure in your family.

[updated November 2018]