No.132 Playing in the Fields While Wearing a Kimono

I’d always longed for it. To see myself wearing a kimono. And to pee outdoors. Tying the obi naturally straightens my spine. The feel of the tabi socks, the sound of the zori sandals—a bit awkward to walk in, but that only makes me feel more like myself. I walked slowly. The joy of walking in this attire outweighed any embarrassment of being seen. The furisode sleeves swayed in the breeze, and even the gesture of holding them down felt somehow graceful. Tradition isn’t something that binds people. Even someone like me wearing it, the kimono embraced me perfectly. It felt like it was saying, “You’re fine just the way you are.” The kimono taught me. You don’t need a reason to like yourself. If you have a “someday I want to wear one” wish, today is that day.