International Museum of the Baroque

YOUR KIMONO LIFE STARTS

HERE

Photography: courtesy of @landisliang

About me

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Hi! My name is Kyoko.

My memory of wearing kimonos goes back to when I was a child.

Both my mother and grandmother wore kimonos everyday, they wore them while they cooked, cleaned, sewed, went to work... it was as much a part of their daily lives as jeans and shirts are a part of ours!

I remember the local kimono store would come to our house with rolls and rolls of beautiful silk kimono fabrics in tow. They displayed them all across our floor and my mother and all my aunties would fight over the ones they thought were the most beautiful. That is how my familie's collection was purchased and grew to what it is today... what a luxurious way to shop! Once they selected their favourites, each kimono was custom made to fit.

My mother ordered many kimonos for me, she said I needed to have my own collection to one day take to the family I married into (much to her disappointment, I married into an Australian family!). Luckily I was and am still able to wear these beautiful traditional dresses to many festive occasions.

Kimonos for Japanese people aren't just a garment, but a part of our broader traditions and heritage. They are usually passed down from mothers to daughters for many generations. I wore my mother's kimono to my daughter's graduation ceremony and it felt as if my mother was there with us. My daughter has also worn the kimono my mother made for me when I was a child to many special occasions. There are not only memories but also family histories behind each dress. Despite these traditions, it is important to me that kimonos don't become a thing of the past. I encourage all people to wear them to keep their memories alive!

Let me show you the different ways to style and dress beautiful kimonos. They are there to be enjoyed by everyone, not only people with Japanese heritage. You will be amazed by how versatile the kimono is and how divine they can make you feel.

So come and join us at Kimono Australia, make new kimono friends, enjoy kimono outings, and most of all let's just have fun and enjoy spreading kimonos throughout Sydney!

Kyoko Hodgkinson

Grand Master 和装高等師範

Japan Tradition Technique Instructor Association

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Kimono Australia is the first overseas branch of Japan Tradition Technique Instructor Association (JTTI).

JTTI has over 45 Kimono dressing schools throughout Japan and

now you can enrolling into JTTI courses here in Sydney.

All completion and accredited qualification certificates come from

JTTI Head office in Japan.

Courses

Japan Tradition Technique Instructor Association

Qualification Courses

日本伝統技術インストラクター協会認定資格コース

Introductory Course

This is the best place to start your journey to learn the art of Japanese kimono dressing authentic way. Learn how to dress yourself in just 7 weeks.

You will learn not only kimono dressing skills but theory of kimono dressing, various obi ties, history, Kimono TPO, styling, coordinations and more!

Once you have completed this course you will be able to progress to Intermediate course if you wish.

Course fee: $450

Include JTTI text book & Ishou jiki

Enroll now!

Intermediate Course - Sen-ka Wasoushi Level 2

専科　和装師２級

This course is about perfecting your self-styling and you will start learning the basics about how to dress in formal kimono dressing and learn different obi tying techniques. You will receive an accreditation certificate of Wasoushi Level 2 at completion of this course.

着付けの技術をより美しく自分を美しく装うコースです
さらに、きものを美しく着るための細かいポイントや礼装の着付け、袋帯及び名古屋帯の変り結びを学ぶことができます。他装の授業もあります。

Instructor Course - Kenkyu-ka Wasoushi Level 1

研究科　和装師１級

Kenkyu-ka course is where you will learn the skills necessary to dress others. This is the first step to becoming a professional kimono dresser. At the conclusion of this course, you will receive an accreditation certificate of Wasoushi Level 1.

人に着せ付け、着付けの基本を改める。振袖などを「人に着せ付ける」インストラクターの基本コースです。格調高いきものの着付けや帯結びの技術もマスターでき、TPOやコーディネートなどの「和装」への理解も一層深まります。

Master Course - Shihan-ka

師範科　准師範

This is where things get serious, additional to the skills you have learnt, you will master highly skilled obi tying methods and gain a deeper understanding of kimono dressing as an art. You will receive an accreditation certificate of Jun Shihan at completion of this course.

状況に合わせた実践的な帯結びを学び、高度な技術を習得します。
基本の紐結びでの着付け、オリジナルの帯結びや実践的に使う帯結びを学びます。

Grand Master Course - Koutou Shihan-ka

高等師範科　和装高等師範

This is a teaching course. You will learn how to teach others the skills of dressing and you will be able to teach and open your own classes. You will receive an accreditation certificate of Koutou Shihan at completion. By becoming a Koutou Shihan, you will also be able to beco a member of the Japan Tradition Technique Association. Additionally you will be invited to their annual event for all professional masters.

人に指導し、より高度な技術を身につけます。講師として人に指導することをインストラクターとして総合的に学びます。着付け師としての技術も磨きます。