Kimono Wearing, Japanese Cultural Experiences and More at Nagomi in Osaka

For the Love of Japanese Textiles and Culture

If you love Japanese textiles, wearing kimono and experiencing traditional Japanese culture like I do, then you will love Nagomi Kimono in Osaka.

This new shop recently had its grand opening in Hommachi Semba Center 10. I’m grateful to have experienced many traditional Japanese cultural offerings there that really make life special and meaningful for our modern times. I that I know you will enjoy them too when you visit Osaka and Japan.

Kimono Dressing

Nagomi offers many experiences to enjoy wearing kimono. Let’s wear kimono and honor these beautiful fabrics and their cultural heritage. The Nagomi Kimono Club features monthly kimono dressing experiences combined with activities, such as tea ceremony or visiting historical sites.

Being dressed gives a great feeling of being grounded and embodied.

The kimono is its own energy and presence.

Try the Heian Era (794 to 1185) style of court dress called jūnihitoe 十二単 or itsutsuginu-karaginu-mo 五衣唐衣裳 . Let your body be enveloped in the lovely 12 layers of silk kimono type that the Heian Era Empresses wore. Heian 平安 means ‘peace’ in Japanese. The Empress is also connected to the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, written by a woman, Murasaki Shikibu.

An important accessory worn with the jūnihitoe is an elaborate fan, known as a hiōgi.

This experience of kimono wearing gave me an amazing feeling of embodiment, as the entire outfit weighs 20 kilograms. I felt like I became the archetypal Empress, associated with the earth.

Tabi socks!

Up-cycled kimono

Japanese clothing for men.

Up-cycled Kimono and Accessories

Additionally, Nagomi sells up-cycled kimono remade by local artisans, which I can’t get enough of and have been learning to remake my own as I collect kimonos. Tea and wagashi are served at events, which includes tea ceremony in kimono. Get your fill of tabi socks too, my favorite, as they have a great feel for your toes and keep them warm in winter.

Chirimen Zaiku

Nagomi also features local artisans’ adorable crafts made from kimono fabric called chirimen zaiku ちりめん細工. Cute, charming and adorable don’t begin to describe these handmade crafts that make great gifts.

Kōdō- The Way of Fragrance

An especially fantastic experience I had was learning about kōdō 香道, or, the way of fragrance. It’s a sensual meditation, aromatherapy, as well as a game of concentration brilliantly connected to The Tale of Genji.

It consists of a meditative ritual of burning and smelling different types of fine incense from all over the world. Many are blended, so your sense of smell must determine which type of incense you smell. You create a chart of lines with each guess, then, connecting the lines to make a design, must determine which chapter from the Tale of Genji these lines create!

Nishijn Picture Textiles

Hanging textile lovers will be impressed by the assortment of picture textiles at Nagomi. Picture scrolls by the Buddhist Nun Setouchi Jakucho 瀬戸内寂聴 せとうち じゃくちょう are on display. She was a famous Japanese novelist who founded her own Buddhist Temple in Kyoto. Nishijin pictures scrolls are on display and on sale at Nagomi. Nishijin textiles にしじん びじゅつおり かいが are specialties, manufactured in Kyoto for centuries and are designated as a national traditional craft. Nagomi are also available to see the Nishijin Textile Center in Kyoto. Wearing kimono, of course! An exhibition of Heian Picture Scrolls Adorned with Nishi-jin Textiles, including the jūnihitoe 十二単, runs April 3-August 28, 2024.

Glorious wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, and tea are served at events.

Make New Friends! Visit Nagomi Kimono in Osaka, Japan

Visit Nagomi at Semba Center Building No.10, ＃127

Semba Chuou ４-１, Chuou-ku, Osaka city

541-0055 Japan

Tel: 06-7181-3974

Email: nagomi5556(@)gmail.com