From March 3 to April 2, the First Moscow Gallery of Oriental Painting will host the exhibition “KIMONO LEGENDS: Heroes, Creators and Keepers”. A large collection of Japanese national costume will be presented at the exhibition.
Kimono is the traditional clothing of the land of the rising sun, which has been worn for several hundred centuries. The first clothes found in Japan that resemble this outfit date back to the fifth century AD. In ancient times, kimonos were worn by all classes of the population: the manufacture of simple peasant kimonos did not require large expenses, the loose cut of the garment did not restrict movement in the case of a samurai battle, and its luxurious appearance allowed even nobles and emperors to try on kimonos.
An accessory to the kimono is an obi belt – a wide belt that is worn over a wrapped kimono. Kimonos and obis are made of various materials, including hemp, flax, artificial and natural silk. Often on kimono robes there are various patterns and images that historically serve not only to decorate the outfit, but also as a way to tell more about its wearer: to show the coat of arms and family history, to indicate the profession and marital status of the owner with the help of Japanese symbols and allusions to popular myths and folklore items.
So, there is a lot of meaning in this everyday utilitarian object. That is why in Japanese culture a kimono is not just a piece of clothing, but also an instrument of artistic depiction.
Behind each kimono, as if behind the subject of painting, there is a motif and a story. The exhibition “Legends of Kimono” will show a rich collection of national costume and reveal the secrets of each of the exhibits.
“This time, samples have been selected for the exhibition, which can rightfully be called artistic canvases – they will tell us legends and fairy tales, tell the stories of the heroes of myths and the Japanese epic,” write on the project’s website.
Visitors of the exhibition will have the opportunity not only to appreciate the aesthetic and cultural value of the objects of the exposition, but also to get acquainted with Japanese mythology and the diversity of the Eastern spiritual world: Shinto beliefs, Chinese literature and folklore, Buddhist legends and popular Oriental plays.
The exhibition will also host a series of introductory lectures and events that will help you further immerse yourself in the world of Japanese culture and learn more about its secrets.
The latest author’s events within the framework of the exhibition will be held from March 19 to March 25. Here is a list of lectures and master classes that you can still attend, and registration for which is still open:
The lecture “Modern kimono – a tribute to tradition or contemporary art?” will be held on Tuesday, March 21. At it, experts will talk about the modern metamorphoses of the Japanese kimono and the revival of interest in the national costume.
Lecture-excursion “Japan: a living tradition of culture in clothing and everyday life”, which will be held on Wednesday, March 23. At it, the curator of the exhibition, Tatiana Naumova, will talk about how centuries-old traditions migrated into the modern culture of the country without losing relevance.
The lecture-demonstration “The principle of “asobi” in the compilation of kimono sets” will be held on Thursday, March 24. At it, the presenters will talk about what real masters are guided by when making kimono sets, and also demonstrate the process of fully dressing in a kimono.
The author’s tour “Legends of Kimono” will be held on Friday, March 25. It will be conducted by the co-author and compiler of the exposition Natalia Bakina. During the tour, guests of the exhibition will be able to listen to a detailed expert story about the content of the exhibition and the unique stories of the exhibits presented.
The exhibition will be held at the First Moscow Gallery of Oriental Painting from March 3 to April 2. You can learn more about the exhibition on the website.
The author of the article Savina Alina Denisovna
