A couple of nice ladies from church invited me to go with them to their friend's kimono shop and try on a formal Japanese kimono. The owner and her daughter helped me get it on. Alot of Japanese people don't know how to put on a formal kimono, but kimono shops and often beauty parlors have professionals who can help you put one on. The shop is owned by a family, and the father designed the kimono I wore. Apparently I was the first person to try on this kimono :). This style of formal kimono is called a "furisode." Furisode kimonos have long sleeves and are typically worn by single women on special occasions, like their coming of age ceremony when they turn twenty. Married women usually where a different style of kimono with shorter sleeves. I got to wear the long sleeved one even though I'm married ;). It was lots of fun and the shop owners were really nice. They had lots of really pretty kimonos on display. The kimono shop was upstairs, and downstairs they ran a really nice little gift shop. I really wish I could afford a formal kimono, but they are very expensive (people often rent one instead of buying one for special occasions). I do hope to wear a yukata (a light, informal summer kimono) for the summer festival :).
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