I was melancholic about this for weeks. I felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart. No one understood my pain.

My favorite online kimono (and Japanese antiques) store (self-styled as a Kimono Flea Market) is closing down!! They became just one more victim of the coronavirus pandemic, although apparently the writing had been on the wall for a long time. A few years ago they first started listing "Kimonotte" items — their line of new kimono and obi featuring made-to-order prints and designs. It was their attempt to "modernize" the business. But it never took off in a way to save it 😔

I never bought anything from Kimonotte because the items were relatively expensive. I had always gone for their vintage stuff anyway: the older the better. I was really into anything they could date to Taisho (1912-1926) and Meiji (1868-1912) eras, the golden years for traditional Japanese clothing. Culturally, Japanese people value modernity and often reject vintage and secondhand goods, which means all the more for foreigners like me. I was also really into anything from the Geiko/Maiko cultural sphere. Ichiroya occasionally listed kanzashi (hair accessories), kimono, obi, haneri (collars), and obiage owned by Maiko and Geiko, and I always snatched those up whenever I could. My most prized kimono is a beautiful hikizuri (stage kimono) owned by a Geiko. Ichiroya's headquarters, located in Osaka, provided proximity to Kyoto's Geiko and Maiko scene, which undoubtedly helped them acquire so many treasured items.

The best part about Ichiroya is the people who work there. Ichiro, Yuka, Mari, and others at Ichiroya are traditional Japanese culture and textile experts. They truly embody the "underpromise, overdeliver" mantra, so buying items from them sight-unseen has never felt like a risk. They don't claim that pieces are from the Meiji era just because it looks very old. So many items from other kimono stores are listed as "early Showa" or "Meiji" yet are clearly mid-century pieces. Like Western styles, kimono have very distinctive fingerprints that make it possible for experts to trace them to a single decade. For example, the reddish-orange lining of Meiji-era kimono gave way to a pure red when aniline dyes were introduced in Japan in the late 19th century. Identifying markers like family crests also shrank in size in the early 20th century as modesty became a virtue.

I wrote Ichiroya a final letter and placed a few final orders. Many things went on sale, so I purchased a few things I had been watching for a long time. Maybe too many. I also hesitated on a few things and got heartbroken when they sold. Of course, they graciously responded to my letter, like they always have. I will miss them. It's truly the end of an era.

Dear Ichiro-san, Yuka-san, Yoko-san, Mari-san, and others at Ichiroya,

I am so sad to hear that you are closing. I was sad for many days when I heard the news. Ichiroya is the only place I buy kimono and other Japanese antiques because you are always honest, considerate, thoughtful, and professional.

Ichiroya has brought so much joy to my life, and I always looked forward to your new listings every day. In my time zone, you always list your new items around 4:30 PM. I know this because I am always waiting at my computer to check the updates 🙂 It must be a lot of hard work. You write about the items with such detail and consideration, and you photograph the items so precisely, that I have learned many lessons about Japanese culture and history through reading your listings alone.

Through your site, I have grown to love Japanese culture. I even took a kitsuke/kimono dressing class with a Japanese teacher to learn how to wear kimono. I hope you will still be on Instagram and social media, so we can still communicate to you how much we love your kimonos all over the world, now and forever.

Here is a photo of me wearing a kimono, obi, obijime, and juban purchased from Ichiroya 🙂


I hope you will be proud of the business you have built and have no regrets. I wish you best of luck in any of your future endeavors. Please stay safe and healthy with your family.

Best,
Jeniko

—

Dear Jeniko-san

Hello. How are you doing? Thank you for your kind message!
We feel so privileged to know wonderful customer as you.
Thank you for sending us a beautiful picture of yourself. The kimono looks beautiful on you!
We are very happy to hear that our company brought joy to your life. It means a lot to us.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to continue posting on Instagram.
We appreciate your understanding.

Thank you again for your support for a long time.
Please take good care of yourself!
With best wishes.

Ichiro & Yuka Wada
Kimono Flea Market "ICHIROYA"