Today we happened upon an amazing display of 22 exquisite Japanese kimonos, each one a work of art. Worn by the Kabuki actors during the early days, these unique kimonos have been preserved by the costumer for the Kabuki stage from 1907 to 1952.
Kabuki, literally means Music (ka), Dance (bu) and Play (ki) and it has many fascinating aspects but what fascinates the audience most has been the actor’s flashy kimono and make-up. This traditional form of Japanese theatre dates back to the sixteenth century when a dancing girl known as “Okuni of Izumo” began performing in the river beds of Kyoto. Kabuki plays are about historical events, moral conflicts and of course, love relationships.

It is really lovely to live in a country were you come across displays such as this in a department store in a mall.