2024 was a very interesting year for me. It started with the publication of “Kimono Evolution” in January, which was very exciting for me. I was really happy to have been able to put interesting background stories to the kimono, and hopefully to help inspire more people to get interested in kimono through my outfits and stories. Of course, it was really special to have Akira Times work on the design. In January I was featured in a commercial for Seiko watches which was also a great privilege. I was able to talk about silk culture and aspects of Japanese beauty for this beautiful short film which promoted a product, a beautiful watch, inspired by Japanese silk.
I travelled a lot more than I usually do. I went with a group of kimono fans to Uzbekistan, and learned a lot about the silk road and dyeing and weaving culture, and embroidery there. It was very exciting and the architecture was especially memorable, with the blue tiles and fantastic ceilings and domes. After this I had a holiday with my daughter in Bali. I was glad to finally get there as it had been planned for the previous year, but I was sick and had to cancel. This holiday was really about sun and relaxing in beautiful nature, but the textiles were also very interesting. I returned to the UK in autumn and enjoyed a lot of long walks there, meeting with family members, and a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum Kimono Show which was on in Scotland.
I also took trips to Kyoto, Kyushu and to Toyama for kimono related events. I met a lot of very enthusiastic kimono fans and some wonderful people at these events and it made me happy to see how interested people are to learn about kimono in these different places. I have also enjoyed welcoming tour groups from overseas to my house to show them my kimono collection. They have been very excited to learn about Japanese textiles and I am happy to share kimono love with all of them.
In the summer I was happy to receive a Platinum Ageist Award for my work with kimono. This was a wonderful experience and I was honoured along with some very famous Japanese stars. I also modelled for hairstylist Oyama Chie, whose poster won the Milbon Poster Award, and the poster will now be displayed in the station in Kagawa, her hometown.
Starting this website has also been a big move for me. I have had a lot of help from Derek Makishima who has taken some wonderful photographs as well as designing the site. I have been involved in designing zouri with Iwasa, which was a great experience and Akira Times has designed my tenugui, which are available through this site. Designing a new Kawagoe Touzan cotton kimono was also a new and challenging adventure, and I am happy to say that it has been well received.
A joyful occasion was the marriage of my daughter this autumn. I am happy to know that she has found the person that she can be happy sharing her life with and we enjoyed a beautiful family wedding. It was extra special as family members flew in from England and Africa to join in the celebrations. I was able to wear a crested black kimono, which was a very special experience. After that I took my older sister to Nagasaki to enjoy sightseeing. We had a wonderful time, and met some kimono friends while we were there.
I want to thank all the friends and people I have worked with who have believed in me and have been a part of my life in 2024. It has been a very special year. I wish you all great adventures and good health in 2025.
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