Kimono

I feel like a soft, silky hug. When you wear me, my long sleeves are wide, like a butterfly's wings when you dance and spin. I am covered in beautiful pictures. Look closely. You can see pink cherry blossoms, tall birds called cranes, and little blue streams. I am as colorful as a rainbow. It feels so nice to be wrapped up in me. Do you know what I am. I am a Kimono. I am a special kind of robe.

I come from a beautiful island country called Japan. I was born a very, very long time ago. It was a time called the Heian period, which began in the year 794. That was long before your grandparents were born. Kind people with clever hands made me. They took one long, soft piece of fabric and carefully cut and sewed me. Then, they painted me with special wishes. A picture of a crane meant you would have a long and happy life. A picture of a flower meant you were beautiful inside and out. Families would wear me on very happy days, like for festivals and parties. I loved to swish and sway when the children ran and played.

Guess what. I am still here today. People in Japan and all over the world still wear me for big celebrations. They wear me for happy days like weddings or special holidays. I am more than just clothes you wear. I am a piece of art that tells a story. When you see me, you see the history of Japan. You can feel the care of the people who made me. I am a beautiful reminder that happy traditions can be wrapped around you like a warm hug. I connect you to people from long, long ago.