Photos and Text by David Yamaguchi
The North American Post
![wedding-kimono---BEST-DSC_5626-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wedding-kimono-BEST-DSC_5626-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=333%2C363&ssl=1)
Undoubtedly, the highlight of Japan Fair, July 8 – 9 at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, was its “Kimono Revolution” fashion show, produced by Kimono Art. This year, a special feature was a visit from kimono dyer Azumi Hosoda. She teaches textile design at Kyoto City University of Arts and at Kyoto Seika University. Her specialty is “rouketsuzome,” or wax-resist design.
Among many innovative kimonos on display, the most memorable to this observer were the simple animal-themed ones. These included a fetching “tako” (octopus) kimono, a snappy “wani” (crocodile/alligator) one, and an ocean-floor one, where the animal is subtle: it is a sea-snake! (below, right). Of these, the octopus kimono left lingering impressions on my mind the next day.
![kimono-dress-DSC_5621-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kimono-dress-DSC_5621-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=186%2C241&ssl=1)
Matching kimono-and-western-umbrella sets were also featured widely.
Yu Ugawa, Kimono Revolution producer, lives in Kobe, but visits Bellevue twice a year, in July for Japan Fair and in January for Seijin-Shiki (napost.com, Jan. 2023).
Kimono Art (Kobe-Seattle) offers a full array of kimono services for special events, including associated hair, make-up and classes.
![pink-kimono-DSC_5603-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pink-kimono-DSC_5603-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=201%2C328&ssl=1)
![backwards-kimono---main-stage-DSC_5605-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/backwards-kimono-main-stage-DSC_5605-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=160%2C324&ssl=1)
![kimono-couple-DSC_5614-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kimono-couple-DSC_5614-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=237%2C331&ssl=1)
![Screen Shot 2023-08-01 at 24957 PM | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-08-01-at-24957-PM.jpg?resize=199%2C362&ssl=1)
![tako---best-DSC_5586-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tako-best-DSC_5586-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=234%2C367&ssl=1)
![designer+tako+wani-DSC_5456-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/designertakowani-DSC_5456-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=546%2C362&ssl=1)
![oyako---best-DSC_5548-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/oyako-best-DSC_5548-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=237%2C399&ssl=1)
![Laticauda_colubrina_Wakatobi2-PS-ADJ | Seattle’s Japanese Community News – North American Post](https://i0.wp.com/napost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Laticauda_colubrina_Wakatobi2-PS-ADJ.jpg?resize=379%2C464&ssl=1)
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