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Japan Forward
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Picture this: It’s a beautiful spring day with the gentle rays of sunshine filtering through the delicate petals of a thousand cherry trees. All around people are dressed to the nines and posing for photos, and you are not one to differ.
Clad in the most gorgeous kimono you’ve ever set eyes upon, you make your way along a path lined with sakura trees. Overhead a thick canopy of pink forms a sea of petals that sway gently in the breeze, encasing you in this fairytale. Nothing could ruin this moment, except…
…what's that?
A mild cramp that has been slowly growing inside over the last 20 minutes has suddenly hit breaking point, signifying that the sakura-flavoured frappuccino you had consumed just half an hour ago doesn’t want to sit in your bladder anymore – it wants out.
After a quick glance at Google Maps you swiftly make your way over to your nearest restroom, where you’re quick to realise something – you’re not quite sure how to navigate using the toilet whilst wearing a kimono.
Thoughts race through your head: How do I manoeuvre this?!... Maybe I shouldn’t have gone for the L-sized drink... I guess wearing a kimono was a bad idea. But then you remember the video guide released by kimono rental agency Furisode Gram that targeted this exact situation.
Wearing a top quality kimono or yukata is a once-in-a-blue-moon activity for most. In some cases, individuals may have only one chance in their life to make memories whilst wearing a traditional piece, so of course they would want to wear it correctly and also feel comfortable in it throughout the day.
These expectations for kimono and yukata can actually be accompanied by nerves, which seem to be especially prevalent when it comes to using the toilet. After all, nobody wants to get their beautiful fabrics dirty whilst in the restroom.
In the video, a member of staff from the kimono rental company Furisode Gram shows the audience how to easily go to the toilet when wearing traditional Japanese kimono. We break down the steps below.
1. First of all, tie your kimono sleeves together. If you are wearing a furisode kimono, make sure to tie them twice.
2. Next up, gently separate the fabric at the base of the kimono and grab each side at the corner of the hem.
3. After that, pull both sides of the fabric upwards. You may be tempted to tuck the fabric in at this point, but if you do that, it will wrinkle and the kimono may come undone – a horrifying concept for someone who doesn’t know how to do it up again. Instead, keep the fabric flat and move in one smooth motion, revealing the underside of the kimono as you lift your arms.
4. Tie the two ends together at the naval for security.
5. Now for one of the most important steps: sitting on the toilet seat. To do this, make sure to lean forward when getting into the seated position, keeping an angle once safely in place.
Be careful to stay focussed at this point, as one mistake could unhook, depress or dirty the beautiful obi keeping your kimono together.
6. When you’re finished, simply untie the knot to return your kimono to its original stylised positioning. However, don’t untie your sleeves yet or else they’ll get wet when washing your hands.
With Furisode Gram’s tutorial video, nothing can stop individuals from enjoying a full day clad in kimono or yukata – not even the dreaded toilet break!
If you or your friends are planning to wear traditional Japanese clothing any time soon, make sure to bookmark this page and the video for use at your convenience.
By - Connie Sceaphierde.