Japan customised unique kimonos for every country represented at the Olympic Games including the Pacific Islands!
To welcome the Olympics, Keio Takakura (50 years old), owner of the kimono shop "Butterfly House" in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, proposed a project "KIMONO PROJECT" in 2014 to produce kimonos with different characteristics representing 207 countries in the world, through Japanese traditions.
Culture conveys the concept of "One World".
The project was helped by more than 130 kimono creators and craftsmen from all over Japan, including Yonezawa-ori in Yamagata Prefecture, Kyo Yuzen in Kyoto Prefecture, and Ryukyu Red Type in Okinawa Prefecture.
The kimonos customised for each country all use the country's representative colors and patterns and other elements. Check out the video above for all 207 custom made kimonos.
Here are our Pacifc Islands customised kimonos (including the Pacific island nations that didn't compete at the Olympics) with their explanations below -
-
American Samoa
Kimono Maker: Shiraki-Sensho/白木染匠
“Samoa is divided into east and west; West Samoa is a ‘Samoa independent country,’ while East Samoa is still an American territory.
I aimed for a graphical work with the national flag as a motif. This graphical design is a difficult technique to draw with a hand-painted Yuzen, hand-threaded, gold leaf, and embroidery. It’s a wonderful work with design ability and technical ability to reproduce it."
Obi Maker: Rakuyo Orimono Co., Ltd. /洛陽織物
“In American Samoa, there are two traditional dyeing and weaving methods using barkcloth called ‘shiapou.’ This time, it was constructed based on the handwriting method called Mamanu, which was dyed and woven by a local Shiapou artist. Motif is often used in design at Shiapou. It’s a design that incorporates various local animals and plants into the lattice.”
-
Cook Islands
Kimono Maker: Kyozome-Seizan/ 京染せい山
The Cook Islands which are made up of 15 major islands scattered across the Pacific, are named after the discoverer, Captain Cook. His ship, the Endeavor, is placed large, and the kimono painted with palm leaves and atoll scenery is an adventurous work.
The background color is yellow, and the overall color scheme is also wonderful.
Obi Maker: Tatsumura Textile Co., Ltd./ 龍村美術織物
“With the motif of the compass and the Endeavor, the romance of the Age of Discovery is woven by hand weaving in a gorgeous manner.”
-
Federated States of Micronesia
Kimono Maker: Sayaka Ohashi/ 大橋 さやか
The Federated States of Micronesia, which consists of the Caroline Islands spreading over Micronesia, is called the Micronesia of the Rainbow, so it has beautiful nature such as four colorful birds, sea turtles, stone coins, hibiscus, and Pompei pepper flowers. It is made up of creatures.
This work is an icon of the Nan Madol archaeological site, a World Heritage Site made with advanced masonry technology.
Obi Maker: Ryoko-Orimono, Supervised by Hakusen/ りょうこう織物 監修 帛撰
“It faithfully reproduces the national emblem of Micronesia and is woven by Nishijin’s genius.”
-
Fiji
Kimono Maker: Michiko Sakai/ 坂井 三智子
A gold medal is hung on the sea turtles that fish are playing rugby in the sea and cheering while waving the Fiji flag.
This is the idea of the author celebrating the Fijian team who won the Rio Olympics sevens rugby. It is a fantasy work that captures the sea and land in one world and is pleasing to children.
Obi Maker: Nishimura Orimono Co., Ltd./ 西村織物
"Inspired by Fijian legends, snakes and snake eyes are reflected in the design of clouds and rainbows. Overall, it is a wonderful coordination set in the sky and sea of Fiji.”
-
Guam
Kimono Maker: Shoji Yamamura/ 山村 省二
Background (vertical and horizontal) A pure white pattern created from Kasuri and a gradation from the hem to the shoulders. Yacht sails, palm trees, and national flag patterns woven with Kasuri.
It is a work in which the geometrical taste and the pictorial pattern of Kasuri are mixed in a simple manner.
Obi Maker: Kaoru Sei/ 盛 かおる
“Using Hakata-ori hand-woven techniques, hibiscus and yacht patterns were woven in combination with striped patterns. A work with a beautiful harmony of volume in the double-layered part and gloss in the single-structured part.”
-
Kiribati
Kimono Maker: Tetsuya & Sayoko Matsueda, Ranseian/ 藍生庵 松枝 哲哉・小夜子
“Kiribati, an island nation in the South Pacific, is on the verge of being submerged due to rising sea levels due to global warming.
Tetsuya Matsueda and Sayoko, the leading figures of Kurume Aya, dyed and wove the feelings for Kiribati that they felt through interaction with the children of Kiribati with natural indigo for the sky and sea and golden clara for the sun. .. Made with the finest cotton and 100% natural dyes, this work is unprecedentedly ambitious.”
Obi Maker: Seiichi Endo/ 遠藤 誠一
“It was used as a hakama for many samurai in the Edo period, and after the Meiji era, it adopted Ogura Ori, which was used by many children who built Japan today.
Among them, Seiichi Endo, who is stubbornly working on the restoration of the striped fabric at that time, devised a traditional striped pattern and used the colors of the Kiribati flag, red, yellow, blue, and white, while the people of Kiribati did not decorate it. The solid ethnicity of the core is woven vividly with beautiful thick stripes.”
-
Marshall Islands
Kimono Maker: Fujiri-Kogei/ 藤理工芸
“The Marshall Islands, which consist of many atolls in the Pacific Ocean, are called “Pearl Necklaces of the Pacific Ocean” because of the array of islands. I boldly designed the situation on the collar and drew a beautiful national emblem as a big icon.
The design of the national flag is skillfully adopted, and the silhouette of the sunrise sky and palm is also impressive.”
Obi Maker: Nishiki-Kogei, Supervised by Hakusen/ 錦工芸 監修 帛撰
“It is fantastically woven using a unique foil with the national flag as a motif.”
-
Nauru
Kimono Maker: Okayama-Kogei/ 岡山工芸
“Nauru’s kimono, an isolated island in the Pacific Ocean, is a striking, bold, modern design of the ocean waves, depicting the parents and children of frigatebirds and albatrosses.
The flowers of Alexandria are really beautiful, and the appearance of the parent bird gently gazing at the chicks is soothing to the viewer. The national flag is casually designed on the chest, and you can feel the Nauru-ness.”
Obi Maker: Ryoko-Orimono, Supervised by Hakusen/ りょうこう織物 監修 帛撰
“Based on the blue of the Nauru flag, the waves of the Pacific Ocean are woven powerfully.”
-
Niue
Kimono Maker: Shiraki-Sensho/ 白木染匠
“Niue, an island nation in the South Pacific that formed diplomatic relations with Japan in 2015, is also known for issuing unique coins. The flowers of ANZAC Day and the beautiful sea and flowers are colored based on the yellow color of the Niue flag.
Inside the coin, the national emblem of Niue and various landscapes are drawn, and the scenery peeking from the cave and the state of animals and plants will delight your eyes.”
Obi Maker: Ryoko-Orimono, Supervised by Hakusen/ りょうこう織物 監修 帛撰
“Based on yellow and blue, we woven palm flowers boldly.”
-
Palau
Kimono Maker: Norihito Sakai/ 坂井 教人
"The Palauan kimono drawn in azure blue is drawn with the motif of tropical plants and Aoihimebat. Birds playing with each other and playing with their families.
The author envisioned a reunion with a family and an encounter with a spouse that the Japanese and American soldiers who had fallen in the last World War could not fulfill. From the desire to seek peace that will never pollute the beautiful sea, the author calls this work “Eternal Blue” and sends a strong message to us living in the present age.”
Obi Maker: Saito-Orimono, Supervised by Hakusen/ 齋藤織物 監修 帛撰
“Using the weaving method used for summer weaving, gardenia flowers are woven with the traditional Japanese Hanabishi pattern. It incorporates the essence of Nishijin’s hand-woven technology.”
-
Papua New Guinea
Kimono Maker: Nishiyama-Sensho/ に志山染匠
The beautiful sea, sky, and colorful orchids are drawn using a technique called “wet drawing Yuzen,” which draws directly on the wet fabric with a paintbrush and creates a unique bleeding style.
In contrast, the “bird of paradise” realistically depicted in Radio Yuzen has a presence as if it were alive. “Rabaul Bay”, which was a fierce battlefield in the previous battle, is also drawn with a wish for peace.”
Obi Maker: Obihiro Co., Ltd./ おび弘
“Using the technique of this bag, we have exotically designed birds of paradise and orchids on traditional masks and woven them by hand.”
-
Samoa
Kimono Maker: Higuchi-Ori-Kogei/ 樋口織工藝
Rugby is the national sport of Samoa, which is said to be a paradise in the South Pacific. In addition, Samoa has its own tattoo culture, and with the cooperation of the ambassador, the designer incorporated that pattern into the design.
The Samoa kimono produced as an unprecedented craft work is Ojiya Shuku in Niigata Prefecture. It will be the first linen fabric woven by Chijimi’s technique.
Obi Maker: Watabun Co., Ltd./ 渡文
“The red ginger flowers are boldly designed, combined with tattoo patterns and woven by hand.”
-
Solomon Islands
Kimono Maker: Sensho-Ichikawa/ 染匠市川
"The Kimono of the Solomon Islands, which was named after King Solomon’s treasure was believed to sleep, makes the sea and forest big with the yellow line of the national flag.
In the calm sea, I drew birds flying in the sky, and in the deep forest, I drew white parakeets and frigatebirds with monitor lizards and insects. Also, by drawing a mask unique to Solomon, it shows the harmony between people and nature.”
Obi Maker: Chikuzen Orimono Co., Ltd./ 筑前織物
“Spider lily is woven based on the color of the national flag, and the five stars of the national flag are also accented.”
-
Tahiti
Kimono Maker: Yui-Project/ 結project
“Tahiti is the birthplace of many cultures on the Pacific islands, featuring tattoos, Tahitian dance, surfing and canoeing. The eight hooks (the fabric around the hem) and the sleeve swing (the fabric inside) contain crimson red and a tattoo pattern. The dancer with the silhouette of the back is drawn to emerge softly.”
Obi Maker: Nishimura Orimono Co., Ltd./ 西村織物
“The symbolic tattoo pattern of Polynesian culture was deformed and woven using the Hakata-ori technique. Taking advantage of the characteristics of Kazetsuori, the same pattern is used on the front and back sides to reverse the color scheme, creating a two-sided work.
In addition, we changed the design of the torso and the back when wearing it to express the dynamics of the tattoo.”
-
Tonga
Kimono Maker: Susumu Iwama/ 岩間 奨
“Tonga, the only kingdom in the Pacific countries. It is an island country surrounded by the beautiful sea. For Tongan kimono, I drew the royal palace, the Tongan free church, the basilica association, and the Neiafu cathedral in the color that divided the sea and the sky.
Inside the hive skeleton and plumeria, the three stone towers of the ancient ruins Haamonga and Tonga’s premier power spot, the “Mimata Palm Tree,” are also depicted.”
Obi Maker: Obihiro Co., Ltd./ おび弘
“Mainly on the sea and sky that can be seen through the wreath of flowers, it is woven by hand weaving using a mango juice called Otai as an accent.”
-
Tuvalu
Kimono Maker: The Late Akeshi Kihara/ 故 木原
Due to the effects of global warming, Tuvalu is about to sink into the sea. It was Dr. Akira Kihara who drew the beautiful sea, flowers and light of Tuvalu.
The light blue on the right represents the sea, and the gentle purple on the left represents the sky. The hem is slightly bleeding in light blue. This is the “sinking Tuvalu” drawn by the author.”
Obi Maker: Hattori Orimono Co., Ltd./ 服部織物
"It is a pattern of Tuvalu coins, which is a wonderful design that shows the richness of Tuvalu’s sea. Hand-woven genuine gold, platinum drawn foil brocade. It gives off a dignified luster using two types of real gold and platinum foil.”
-
Vanuatu
Kimono Maker: Aiko Kenmotsu/ 剱持 愛子
“Vanuatu, which consists of many islands, has different lifestyles depending on the island. Therefore, we created “our land” and “our” with the theme of the precious environment “nature”.
The fangs of Tusker depicted are a symbol of wealth and prosperity and are also used in the national flag. Along with sand art, many flowers, flora and fauna, a variety of nature is drawn and the whole is put together in a mysterious green background.”
Obi Maker: Shiko Co., Ltd./ 紫紘
“Submarine volcanoes, tuskers, sand art, etc. are designed in a hexagonal shell that combines Y and woven by hand.”
