Japanese aesthetics have been popular throughout the world since the country opened to the world in the 1800s, and nowhere is this more true than with the enduring fascination with Japan’s national dress, the kimono. While unisex in nature, women’s kimono far outshine men’s in both terms of intricacy and beauty. However, this means that many visitors to Japan don’t know where to begin when it comes to wearing kimono — and this can be especially true for transgender women.
That’s why Tisha, a 4th kyu kimono master, and certified hair and make-up artist, founded Blossom Kimono earlier this year. She understood how important it is for LGBTQ+ visitors to Japan, and those living here, to not only connect with authentic Japanese culture, but also with someone who understands what they are going through. Tisha was kind enough to not only speak with JGG, but also gave Eleonore Ferns, star of JGG’s Instagram reels, the opportunity to have the full Blossom Kimono experience!
Comfort from Head to Toe
For Tisha, the process of dressing clients in kimono is more than just the act of carefully and precisely adding layers of wafuku before expertly tying obi. A vital part of the Blossom Kimono experience, and part of the reason that her clients rave about her services, is the personal bond between Tisha and her excited clients.
“In some ways, it’s like going to a hairdresser: it’s a social outlet,” she says. “Dressing in women’s kimono takes roughly an hour. So in that time, we can have a conversation, a human experience, and forge a real connection.”
Eleonore’s experience matches this exactly. From the moment he arrived, Tisha was welcoming and friendly, carefully dressing him, and gently making any necessary adjustments. Throughout, she and Eleonore talked, joked, and bonded with one another.
“Being with Tisha was like being with a mother,” Eleonore said. “She pays attention to the details, and always takes care of how you feel.”
Tisha’s services are curated to give exactly this feeling. Indeed, while it is an unrivaled treat to be dressed in kimono by a kimono master, she also does make-up and hair for her guests, using nothing but natural hair product to style you so that you can feel yourself without apology.
“Many people feel alone when they first figure themselves out, and for Trans women and others on the fem side of the spectrum, they can really struggle with imposter syndrome,” Tisha explains.
“So I thought that with kimono, I could make it a gender-affirming experience for people. Especially for girls who are just starting, I could do something to make them feel beautiful about themselves.”
The Blossom Difference
There are many different kimono dressing shops in Tokyo, however. So why should one come to Blossom Kimono, rather than more established places? Well, while there may be many masters, but as Eleonore says, there is no replacing a mother.
“If you take a look at kimono dressing in Asakusa, it’s just about taking the pictures,” Tisha explains.
“But I didn’t want to have people dress in kimono for the sake of it, or just to get pictures. I wanted them to experience what it’s like to move around in kimono, to live in kimono.”
Tisha is as good as her word. Not only does she dress her clients in kimono in a way that is kind and personal, but she makes sure that your experience in Japan’s national dress is not just photogenic, but practical.
“Sometimes people who dress others in kimono, but don’t wear them often, will tie them too tightly, for the photos. That makes people think, ‘this was cool, but I never want to wear kimono again.’ I tie kimono less tightly, so you don’t just wear it, you live in it.”
Tisha has also partnered with a tea ceremony master, so that anyone who wants to experience authentic Japanese tradition can both be dressed in Japan’s national dress while they learn how to enjoy matcha in an authentic way. Indeed, anyone who opts in for the green tea lesson will receive a certificate from the tea master, proving that they have learned the ways of the tea ceremony.
Even beyond this, Blossom Kimono offers a way for clients to experience the way that Japanese people lived a century ago. Kamado House, along the Tamagawa River, is an authentic Taisho-era home. After being dressed in kimono, the guests have the chance to learn how to cook Japanese cuisine — while keeping their kimono safe from spills, dirt, or damage.
Kamado House itself is an incomparable rarity. The owner bought it and built it, brick by brick, into an authentic representation of Taisho Japan. There is no place like it in Tokyo to learn Japanese cooking, all while attired in the kimono of your choice. And make no mistake: while Blossom Kimono has a wide range of traditional kimono, suitable for any body type, it also has kimono for more niche tastes, including a Sailor Moon kimono, featuring Luna and Artemis!
Providing for her customers is second nature to Tisha, who believes that business is like a puzzle: you simply need to figure out what people want, and how you can provide it for them. But the real secret to her success isn’t just market research, it’s about how she makes her customers feel.
“Of course, we dress ourselves every day,” Eleonore says. “But when someone dresses you, it is a unique and important experience. Being dressed in kimono is profound: there is meaning to it, and it is an art form.”
Letting Your Bud Become a Flower
LGBTQ+ rights, and the need to defend them, have never been more important. But as well as advocating for political rights, it is vital to help LGBTQ+ people be comfortable in and of themselves, and this is paramount when it comes to clothing. That is why Blossom Kimono, an LGBTQ+ business for LGBTQ+ people, is an oasis in Tokyo for people who feel isolated, or who are questioning themselves, or even those who just want a moment of bliss with a sympathetic ear and a kind heart.
“I love being able to show LGBTQ+ people that they can live happily as themselves,” Tisha says. “Blossom Kimono is the medium for people to feel comfortable and confident: our kimono are a safe space that you can wear.”
You might have to take your kimono off, eventually, but the experience that Blossom Kimono offers, and the confidence you will find, will last a lifetime.
