Kimonos shine in corridors of campus

By Timothy Leong   They can weigh up to 20kg, are two metres long and are made from some of the world’s most delicate fabrics. The Japanese kimono, with long wide sleeves that can reach your ankles and vibrant textures and colours, is not something you would normally see in the corridors of campus. But during a cultural exchange this week, called Japan hour, about 30 students learnt about the traditional garb that can take up to an hour to assemble. Paddy Then, a Chinese born Malaysian Murdoch student studying Japanese, ran the workshop. She said the kimono was different from other clothing as it is cut from only one bolt of fabric and can cost between $10 and $10 000, depending on the quality and craftsmanship. Japan Hour, which has been running every Friday on campus this month, aims to educate students in Japanese culture, language and traditions. Ms Then told The Bounce that kimonos were a treasured belonging. “One of the things Japanese people treasure the most is the kimono. It is a very satisfying and comforting feeling to be in a kimono,” she said.   And wearers don’t have to be Japanese to adopt the look. “Don’t feel like you can’t wear a kimono, because they come in many different shapes and sizes to suit anyone,” she said. There are kimonos for both men and women with designed to suit different tastes. Kyle Brown, one of the participants in the workshop, described Japan Hour as a fun experience. “It was very snug around the centre because they had the large sash they needed to put on, otherwise it was quite light, and I didn’t feel too restrictive,” Mr Brown said. Accessories included fans, hair pins, umbrellas and headbands.