Ukrainian Students Try on Yukata

On Friday, August 12, six Ukrainian students participated in a yukata (Japanese summer style kimono) dressing event as part of their curriculum to learn about Japanese culture.

They woke up early and gathered at a kimono rental store in Kajiya-machi. They selected yukata from a wide array of yukata on display and matched them with obis* and other accessories while consulting with the Japanese staff. After being dressed, they had their hair set in the style they wanted. During the dressing process, the Japanese staff kept saying, "Cute! It suits you very well." The Ukrainian students were smiling.

*obi: a broad sash (tied over a kimono)

After dressing, the students went to a nearby temple to take pictures, then moved to a Nagasaki machiya (townhouse) built in 1890. After a briefing on the history and culture of the machiya, they enjoyed taking pictures in this space, where the earthen floor, spacious tatami rooms, and veranda all remind us of a time slip back to ancient Japanese times.

After an hour in the machiya, they moved to the Hamano-machi Arcade for lunch. They enjoyed Nagasaki's local delicacies at a famous Turkish rice restaurant while trying their best to use the Japanese they had learned.

Unfortunately, a sudden thunderstorm prevented further exploration of the city. Still, it was a fulfilling day as they experienced firsthand Nagasaki's historic cityscape and Japanese culture and took many pictures.

 

List