Kim Kardashian believes she invented the kimono. Now, though, the Mayor of Kyoto himself has responded to her outlandish clothing campaign to set the record straight.
Despite the traditional garb existing since Japan’s Heian period of 794–1192 AD, the media mogul launched a new product line just last week that uses the same name as these iconic traditional Japanese robes. Kimono, according to Kim Kardashian, is a series of shapewear undergarments meant to give your body a more firm and defined shape.
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Calling this line of shapewear “kimono” was already bizarre enough as is. Despite being a slightly clever word-play on her own name, these Kim-designed undergarments have zero similarities to the floral and flowing robes of Japanese tradition. Kim Kardashian and her husband Kanye West have been vocal about their love of Japan for years, but this all seemed like a cheap way to approriate that culture and redefine a centuries old part of Japanese society and fashion.
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To make matters even worse, Kim Kardashian actualy went and trademarked the word “kimono”. She now owns the word, which gives her full rights to sell a variety of clothing and accessories under that name, from undergarments and sleepwear to actual kimono robes. Outrage over this move has been explosive all around the world, with many accusing Kim Kardashian of inapproriately claiming this massive piece of Japanese culture as her own.
The mayor of Kyoto, Daisaku Kadokawa, released a statement addressed to Kim Kardashian on Friday. Much of the backlash so far has been from everyday people online, but this has been one of the first major responses. In it, he asks her to drop the Kimono trademark for her new shapewear brand, which she revealed on Tuesday.
“Kimono is a traditional ethnic dress fostered in our rich nature and history with our predecessors’ tireless endeavors and studies,” he says in his written response. “It is a culture that has been cherished and passed down with care in our living. Also, it is a fruit of craftsmanship and truly symbolizes sense of beauty, spirits and values of the Japanese.”
Kyoto is often known for the way it blends the modern and traditional aspects of Japanese culture and living together. Countless geisha and mako still live and perform in Kyoto even today, and they are known for wearing proper kimono robes. It’s this rich heritage of kimono and traditional Japanese culture that Mauot Daisuku Kadokawa aims to preserve.
“We are currently undertaking initiatives nationally to make ‘Kimono Culture’, symbol of our culture and spirits, registered to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. We think that the names for ‘Kimono’ are the assetshared with all humanity who love Kimono and its culture therefore they should not be monopolized.”
This letter is just one of countless open responses to Kim Kardashian following the announcement of her shapewear brand and trademark acquisition. As time rolls on, and more people become vocal with their outrage, we can only hope that the Kardashian estate realizes the error of their ways and renames the undergarment brand to “Kimderwear” or something.
