Japan’s LGBTQ-friendly kimono rental service embracing diversity

Detailed and refined stitches, and beautiful patterns that that evoke the seasons…Kimono, a Japanese traditional clothes, has captured the interest of not only Japanese locals but also foreign tourists. The business of kimono rental has existed since the Meiji Era, when people began wearing Western clothes, but today, with the increase in inbound travel, kimono rental has become a hot topic, especially among foreign visitors. Many kimono stores are expanding their services from traditional styles to English-friendly and even LGBTQ-friendly.

Kajiura launches LGBTQ-friendly kimono rental

Wasō Kajiura Co., Ltd. is a kimono rental company located in Nagoya city that offers a wide range of services from rentals to dressing services. What sets this kimono store apart is that it welcomes all genders. Although the kimono appears gender-neutral at first glance, it is designed with gender-specific distinctions. Women’s and men’s kimonos differ in shapes, fabrics, patterns and color. Consequently, some people believe that wearing a kimono can reveal a person’s gender identity.

Anyone can wear any type of kimono

While the kimono remains to have a gender distinction, Shino Kajiura, the representative, started an LGBTQ-friendly kimono rental service, which allows anyone to wear any type of kimono regardless of gender. Through her efforts to dress university students in kimonos, Kajiura learned that some people are unable to wear the kimonos they want because of their gender identity. This realization led her to want more people to be able to enjoy wearing kimonos.

In the store, customers can enjoy not only wearing their favorite kimono but also combining women’s kimono and men’s haori, Japanese coats for kimono. Kajiura and her staff dress customers in kimonos while providing detailed explanations, aiming to impart authentic knowledge and accurate information about the traditions associated with kimonos.

Having had many encounters with customers, Kajiura happily shared an episode with us. One day, a middle-aged man, 180cm-tall, who identified himself as a woman, came into the store, and she hesitantly asked them if they had a women’s kimono she could wear. While most kimono stores do not offer women’s kimonos in large sizes, Kajiura provided her with a kimono that fit her perfectly and even offered makeup services.

Possibility of harmonizing with gender fluidity

A Kimono is a garment that makes everyone look beautiful, regardless of gender, age or body shape. Although it’s a culture that can cause outings, I’d like to see a world where people are not limited in their experiences because of their gender, in harmony with gender fluidity and Japanese tradition.