10:52 JST, March 25, 2024
HAMAMATSU – An event demonstrating how to put on juni-hitoe – a style of kimono worn by noble women during the Heian period (794 – late 12th century) – was held on March 3 at Iinoyagu Shrine in Hamamatsu, in the Shizuoka Prefecture, attended by people eagerly watched the process of putting on twelve layers of robes.
It is the sixth time that the event has been held. Ko Mokuya, 19, from Hamamatsu, played the role of a princess this year, dressed in elegant attire. The event was held in collaboration with a local beauty salon. It took three people about 25 minutes to carefully dress Mokuya in the approximately 15-kilogram kimono. People who came to the event eagerly took pictures with cameras and smartphones.
NHK-G is currently airing “Hikaru Kimi e” (“Dear Radiance”), set in the Heian period, in its annual epic TV period piece “Taiga Drama”. The show has turned heads with its brilliant costume designs.
“It’s very hard, but I feel like I’ve turned into a real princess,” Mokuya said happily.