Summer Kimono

Before summer is gone... This is the script of my 8th Toastmasters speech. The project theme was "Get Comfortable with Visual Aids." I wore my Yukata(a summer kimono, in the photo!) and showed some visual aids by the power point. Let's begin!!

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters. Today, I am wearing Japanese traditional clothes. Do you know what it is called? Yes, it looks like a Kimono, but actually, it is not. This is a Yukata, a Japanese summer Kimono. I will talk about the differences between Kimonos and Yukatas, and how Yukatas are popular in Japan.

In the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, the actressed wore gorgeous Kimonos. The costume designer of this movie took the Academy costume design award.

A Kimono(着物) means a thing to wear outside. Kimonos are made from silk and brocade, which has a pattern of gold and silver threads. That is why they are expensive. A long time ago, Japanese aristocrats used to wear Kimonos as daily clothes, but now, we wear them just for special events like weddings because it is difficult to wear them. Kimonos have many layers and heavy materials, so we have to ask a person who has the skill of putting on Kimonos when we decide to wear them.

On the other hand, they are (Look at photos! All of them are Yukatas☆) Yukatas(浴衣). They look very similar to a Kimono, but originally, it was a bathrobe. A Yukata is made from 100% cotton and has one layer, which makes them cheaper and cooler than Kimonos. Also, even though they are not very easy to put on, we can wear them by ourselves if we do some practice.

Therefore, Yukatas are very popular as special clothes especially for summer events like seeing fireworks.

By the way, these fashionable Yukatas are like public Yukatas. We have two kinds of Yukatas. Public ones and private ones. Private Yukatas are like pajamas, bathrobes, as the original meaning. If you stay at a hotel in Japan, a private Yukata is prepared in your room like this one.

Actually, the Yukata is getting well known among American people. I saw Phoebe, who is a character in the famous TV sitcom Friends, wearing a bathrobe which has a Yukata print. However, I felt weird because our tradition is to wear the Yukata with the top side to the right like I am doing. Kimonos are also worn with the top side to the right.

But Phoebe wore it with the top side to the left, opposite. But in the Japanese tradition, we do this when we die! When a family member dies, we let him or her wear the Yukata or Kimono with the top side to the left. I know western people don’t mind which side is the top, but Phoebe’s bathrobe looked like a Yukata, so it was weird for me.

Let’s go back to the living people’s interest. In the modern Japanese society, public Yukatas are very popular clothes for summer dates among young girls because they know Yukatas make Japanese girls more attractive. It is almost impossible to wear Kimonos on casual dates, but Yukatas look like Kimonos, beautiful traditional Japanese clothes. Even though you are a very active and aggressive girl, a Yukata makes you look like a quiet, humble, and traditional Japanese girl. You have to walk quietly with very short strides like this because the Yukata’s bottom around the ankles is very tight. This movement reminds us of Japanese culture.

However, people say, “Boys, don’t touch your girlfriends while they are wearing Yukatas even though they look attractive!” because if you hold her shoulder, the Yukata’s collars come loose. If you put your arm around her waist, the Yukata’s belt becomes untidy. It is always hard to keep traditions.

What do I want to say in this speech?

First, if you have traditional clothes from your country, let’s enjoy wearing them if you can. The traditional clothes have a sense of traditional beauty.

Second, ladies, when you can wear special clothes, don’t miss the opportunities. Enjoy being ladies!

Gentlemen, when your girlfriends or wives wear special clothes, please pay more attention to her than usual. She is supposed to have taken time and effort to wear this kind of outfit.

While I am speaking…I know my Yukata has already become untidy. So I am going to finish my speech. Mr. Toastmaster.

Well...have you made some "summer" memories with your special "summer" clothes?

It's never too late! Summer is not over! Good luck☆