▲Today, Yamazaki, who is fond of kimonos, came dressed in early summer attire!!

When you walk around the streets of Kyoto, you often see people wearing kimonos. Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment that makes you feel special when you wear it.

The manga “Koisose Kimono Otome” depicts a girl who loves wearing a kimono, and there are many spots in Kyoto that look great in kimono.

On July 9th , 2019, the 4th volume of “Koiseyo Kimono Otome” will be released. We spoke with the author, Ms. Zero Yamazaki, at Chorakukan in Higashiyama in Kyoto, which appears in the 4th volume!!

The secret story of the birth of the main character Momo-chan>

Misaki　　：『Momo-chan, the main character of “Koiseyo Kimono Otome,” is a slightly shy girl who cherishes the kimono she inherited from her grandmother. When drawing a manga with a kimono theme, why did you choose a girl like Momo-chan as the main character?

Yamazaki sensei:It’s a combination of the concept of “What kind of protagonist would be loved by readers?” and the inspiration that came from within me. When I decided to draw this manga, I felt that I had to carefully create the story. This is because wearing a kimono gave me the impression that people around me were harsh on me. Manga published nationwide by publishers can be read by a wide range of people, so I was wondering what kind of story would be best. I thought it would be better to have the main character wear traditional clothing that conveys the charm of kimono, rather than trying to mix Western style clothing (combining kimono and Western clothes). With that in mind, who is the main character in today’s world that you feel close to? When I thought about it, I decided that instead of a rich, well-dressed young lady, I would rather have a girl who works for a general company and can be found anywhere.

I wanted to create a story and characters that would make people who are interested in kimonos, but have never worn them or those who have no interest in kimonos think,”`Kimonos are wonderful,” and “I want to wear them.”

Misaki:Antique kimonos and recycled kimonos are a reasonable way to enjoy kimonos, but is there a reason why you chose to wear “grandma’s hand-me-down” kimonos?

Yamazaki sensei:I once received a beautiful kimono from an acquaintance’s grandmother. Based on her experience with her girlfriend, I thought that “Grandma’s hand-me-down” was the most familiar and wonderful thing, which is why I chose this background. Antique kimonos and recycled kimonos are also very nice, so I would like to draw them in a manga from now on.

Misaki:The main character was created by applying imagination to various elements.

Yamazaki sensei:The main character’s honest and straightforward personality naturally arose within me of this story.

Why do you draw the kimono dressing scene?

▲From episode 1. The scene where the main character Momo is dressed is one of the highlights of the work.

Misaki:Why do you clearly depict the moment when you put on a kimono in “Koiseyo Kimono Otome”?

Yamazaki sensei:At the first meeting, we planned to draw a kimono manga with a short story about a girl going out. Since the magazine that publishes has a lot of male readers, we thought it would be interesting to show them parts of the magazine that they don’t usually get to see. From that time on, I decided to draw a scene in which I was wearing a kimono.

Misaki:But “Koiseyo Kimono Otome” is a story about love, right?

Yamazaki sensei:When I was planning the scenario, I thought it would be more interesting if there was a main love story. As a result, it took on its current form.

Misaki:Will there be anyone who will act as a model for the dressing scene?

Yamazaki sensei:It’s me…(lol) I asked my mother to take a picture of me wearing a kimono and draw it.

Misaki:Have you always liked kimonos?

Yamazaki sensei:I have always been interested in the embroidery and clothing of ethnic costumes. It was a few years ago that I actually learned how to kimono and started wearing it myself. There was a time when a series I was working on suddenly ended, and at that time I was left with a gaping gap of time. At that time, I had some free time, so I decided to do what I wanted to do, and started learning how to kimono.

▲The coordination for this day was very gorgeous, with a single kimono by Chijiya Ojiya and a half collar by TSUBAKIAN.
She enjoys matching the color of the half-collar and obi.

Miraculous timing! The story behind the appearance of Chorakukan.

▲From episode 22 of volume 4. It depicts the main character’s sister’s wedding reception at Chorakukan.

Misaki:In every episode of “Koiseyo Kimono Otome” Momo-chan goes out somewhere in a kimono. In episode 22 of Volume 4, Chorakukan in Higashiyama, Kyoto appears. Please tell us why you chose Chorakukan as the venue for Momo-chan’s sister’s wedding.

Yamazaki sensei:I had visited Chorakukan several times for acquaintances’ weddings and thought, “I want to paint there someday!” However, I don’t often get to interview during the wedding ceremony… (Lol) It was decided that the sister gets married in this work, so I wish I had a chance to cover the wedding scene at Chorakukan. I wanted to draw it. At that time, a senior friend of mine decided to hold a wedding at Chorakukan.

Misaki:What a great timing! (Lol)

Yamazaki sensei:Yes. (Lol) I asked my senior if I could interview them, and he readily agreed. For the wedding scene that appears in the manga, I used the scene from exactly as my senior’s wedding! (Lol)

Misaki:Why is there almost no dialogue in episode 22, which depicts my sister’s wedding?

Yamazaki sensei:For this episode, I decided to draw it silently (with almost no dialogue or explanations). We’re sisters who are very close, so I think there’s no need for explanations or words. You don’t have to write down the feelings you have for your sister or the feelings you feel while preparing for the wedding. Regarding this episode, I felt that the words and explanations felt like noise. I omitted the explanation of the kimono, which is usually included, so that only the last line that the older sister says stands out. Actually, I intentionally made the number of pages smaller than usual so that I could concentrate on the scene.

Misaki:Chorakukan was built in 1902 as a state guest house to entertain distinguished guests from Japan and abroad, and is currently designated as a tangible cultural property of Kyoto City. It’s an attractive place with great attention to detail, but is it difficult to draw a picture of a place like this?

Yamazaki sensei:It’s tough, isn’t it? However, I think Momo-chan would like a place like this. We decide whether or not to include a place in the manga based on whether it is a place Momo-chan would want to go to and whether it would work as a background. I always fantasize about how Momo-chan would move if she stood there. There are some places where I went to research and decided not to draw.

▲Chorakukan, which has a stately and sophisticated feel, is one of the spots in Kyoto that we recommend you visit at least once.

▲Chorakukan, which has a stately and sophisticated feel, is one of the spots in Kyoto that we recommend you visit at least once.

The highlight of the 4th volume of the book is the change in Momo-chan!

Misaki:Please tell us the highlights of volume 4.

Yamazaki sensei:Momo-chan receives styling from a stylist, and Momo-chan wears clothes that she has never tried before. In Mami Morita’s styling episode (episode 19), she realized that “You can express your personality even in your grandmother’s kimono” and in Usakoma’s styling episode (episode 20), she realized that “Boots are a good combination with kimono,” In episode 21, she realizes that if she adopts foreign colors with Shikumi Kobayashi’s styling, she can become a different person than usual. In the three episodes mentioned above, each of the main characters has a different realization. And episode 22 is about her sister’s wedding. My best ally, my best sister, is getting married and leaving home. When her sister gets married, she suddenly stops and wonders, “Is it okay for me to be the way I am?” Momo-chan tries to take the next step in episode 22 of the 6 episodes included in the 4 volumes.

It would be great if it gave you an opportunity to fall in love with kimono!

▲Yamazaki’s san’s feet are sandals.
Maybe this kind of free-style dressing will appear in future works?

Misaki:Lastly, please give a message to everyone reading this article.

Yamazaki sensei:Momo-chan is originally a girl who wears standard clothes. In her future development, I would like to depict her growing up as she encounters styles that incorporate Western clothing and various kimono styles. She hopes to continue to introduce many wonderful things about kimonos. It would be great if people who weren’t interested in kimonos could read the manga and think, “Kimonos are great.” In the 6 episode, all 6 prefectures of Kansai appear in the story. Kyoto always appears at least once in each volume, so I’d like you to go out wearing a kimono there.

Misaki:Let’s go on a pilgrimage to the sacred place in “Koiseyo Kimono Otome” in a kimono!

Yamazaki sensei says she would be happy if even people who weren’t interested in kimonos could pick up the kimono. The 4th volume of “Koiseyo Kimono Otome”, packed full of the wonderful aspects of kimono, will be released on July 9th, 2019!

©Zero Yamazaki/Shinchosha
・“Koiseyo Kimono Otome”:
https://kuragebunch.com/episode/10834108156629657504
・Zero Yamazaki’s Twitter：
https://twitter.com/kanariazero

翻訳者：Mei G.