Highschool graduates (2004-03-29)
New school year starts in April in Japan. End of March marks
the time for highschool graduation ceremony across the country.
Female graduates show up on this important occasion wearing a special
type of kimono. It is similar to the traditional kimono except
the thick sash with the decorative piece at the back is replaced by a
full-length wrap-around "skirt" that goes from waist to ankles; it
reminds me of the national costume of Korea. Sometimes you will
see a girl in traditional kimono among a group of graduates wearing the
Korean style kimonos, I haven't figured out the reason for the
nonuniformity but such a sight is always very pretty to look
at.
One thing interesting about the kimono is the special sandals that women wear with it. They come in one size only: small and narrow. Why kimono makers think footwear can ever be one-size-fits-all is another mystery of the Japanese culture I'll never understand.
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