The Center for Japanese Language and Culture held a workshop on "How to Wear Juni-Hitoe (twelve layered kimono) Traditional Kimono" at the Japanese tatami-mat room of the Center on December 11, 2019.

The 6th workshop was attended by around 40 people including international students studying at the Center's Japanese Language & Culture Studies Course, Japanese Society & Culture Program, and those from faculties/schools, Japanese students, teaching and administrative members. Students from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG, India) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM, Malaysia) also attended the workshop. They are studying at Gifu University for the 5th Winter School program started on December 9 (until December 20).

Based on the Center's concept "Experience the Real," the workshop is considered as an experience-based Japanese culture class for the university students. Six instructors, including Ms. Keiko Ito and Ms. Chisato Sato, who specialize in teaching kimono-wearing, were invited to the workshop. All instructors wore montsuki hakama (formal kimono with a traditional Japanese family crest and a divided skirt). Their dress, together with the traditional court music of gagaku, enhanced the solemn mood in the room.

First, Professor Momoko Tsuchiya of the Center spoke about the history of Juni-Hitoe and basic facts about kimono in Japanese and English. Second, as a model, Ms. Chuangsuwanish Anyamanee from Thailand (Japanese Language & Culture Studies Course student), walked into the room. She worn kosode (short-sleeved kimono) and hakama (divided skirt), put on a special makeup, and saishi (coronet) on her head.

The instructors deftly dressed Ms. Anyamanee in Juni-Hitoe consisting of hitoe (unlined kimono), itsutsuginu (five-layer undergarment), uchiginu (inner garment), uwagi (outer garment), karaginu (waist-length robe) and mo (long pleated skirt), while paying their deep respects to Ms. Anyamanee, who played a role of okatasama (the royal personage). Everyone intently watched her being dressing up in the gorgeous kimono of green, pink and red. At the Question and Answer session, many questions were raised from the participants. They were: "How do people in Juni-Hitoe use a bathroom?" "Can pregnant women also wear Juni-Hitoe?" Ms. Ito gave answers to every question very politely. Later in a photo session, students and instructors took pictures with Ms. Anyamanee with a hiougi (painted wooden fan) in hand.

Juni-Hitoe can be taken off smoothly as the garments are not laced up. While taking pictures, some students wore Juni-Hitoe and felt its weight in turns.

We believe that the 6th workshop offered students another opportunity to appreciate the depth and profundity of traditional Japanese culture. We hope that this unique workshop contributes to enhance Japanese culture education for students, teaching and administrative staff of the university.