Before Covid-19 appeared in the world, Japan was committed to organizing the
Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the best possible way: so much so that, in 2017, they created the
Kimono Project , an initiative that aimed to unite all the nations participating in the Games in around the art of Japanese kimonos. Each country was honored with a piece whose prints represent typical characteristics of each nation, such as the colors of the flags, local geography, nature, history and even architecture. Organized by
Imagine One , the project was completed, but the original plan to display the pieces during the games was canceled due to the pandemic. The result, however, is available worldwide on
a website that brings together all the kimonos and their information . Learn more some of the works on display:
Brazil
Created by Chiso Co, a traditional Japanese textile manufacturer based in Kyoto, the kimono that pays homage to Brazil features compositions that resemble Japanese patterns, but are made with spring flowers and circles of
coffee flowers . A yellow parakeet appears as a phoenix and a toucan as well. is present. The large feathers represent Carnival and there are two expressions written in Portuguese: "
boa sorte " and "
lace " (the latter, in the sense of union).
The Obi (the sash worn around the waist like a belt) is designed by Tatsumura Textile, a luxury brand based in Kyoto, and features a pattern that is reminiscent of the
Cathedral of Brasília designed by Oscar Niemeyer. The overlapping colors and silver and gold threads fabrics alternately cause the brightness of the fabric to change depending on the viewing angle.
United States
The national colors blue and white also represent the country's water resources, such as the glaciers of the Andes Mountains and the flow of water from the Iguaçu Falls.
Italy
With references to Renaissance architecture, the kimono pattern representing Italy features cathedrals, buildings and many arches. Leonardo da Vinci's helicopter also appears in the work.
Canada
The typical colors of Canadian leaves and the country's lakes are given a Japanese twist in this design.
Refugee team
The theme that represents the refugee team is "prayer" ("祈り", in Japanese) and appears on the lining of the piece – the white on the outside represents a request for peace.
