How Billy Matsunaga became one of Japan's leading kimono experts

Meet Billy, a German woman who shares her story of coming to Japan and falling in love with its most recognizable clothing, the humble kimono. She sits down to talk with us about the nuances of kimono crafting, the culture and history around it, and the many misconceptions people have of kimono. -- Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:33 Meet Billy 1:56 Getting interested in kimonos 2:46 First time coming to Japan 5:42 What is appealing about kimonos 6:37 Taking kimonos more seriously 8:26 What do you learn at a Kimono School 10:43 Difference between Kimono and Yukata 13:18 Most challenging thing when starting 14:13 How long does training take? 17:20 Speed dressing 19:07 Starting to teach 19:42 Nuances in Kimono styles 23:10 Modern kimonos and the history behind them 26:12 What you can learn about someone from their kimono 28:18 When to wear certain patterns 33:31 How to start making a Kimono 37:19 Specific rules for how to knit 38:06 Why do kimonos change over time 39:17 Is Kimono fashion or a specific garment 41:32 Rules for special occasions 42:51 Are kimonos go out of fashion 44:48 Emerging kimono fashion trends 46:59 Is it easier for men to use Kimonos 48:39 How do online classes work 51:05 Common misconceptions 54:08 Geta and Zori 57:04 Did you foresee a future with kimono 58:37 Where to start learning how to make kimonos 01:00:52 Key points to take away Liked this episode? Check out our interviews with comedian and media personality Mr. Yabatan    • How Mr. Yabatan became Japan's favorite fo...   -- Follow Billy @biriinyan https://www.internationalwafuku.com    / billymatsunaga     / biriinyan   https://www.x.com/biriinyan https://www.ameblo.jp/biriinyan https://www.kumakimonokoi.wordpress.com Follow us on our social media:    / @unpackingjapanshorts   https://www.buzzsprout.com/2158416   / @unpacking_japan     / unpackingjapan   https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan   / unpackingjapan   Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/