すなお本が出版されました

PLZ protect our kimono.About Kim Kardashian applying for trademark registration of underwear brand name “KIMONO”

10分

SHARE

A well-known reality show celebrity, Kim Kardashian West, recently introduced her shapewear line “Kimono”.

She is currently in the process of making the word kimono a trademark.

参考 アメリカ人セレブ発表の「Kimono」というブランド名が、世界で批判を呼んでいる理由BuzzFeedNews

 

I am here to share a few things and ask everyone a tiny favor on this matter.

日本語の記事(here is article in Japanese)

米国セレブのキム・カーダシアンさんが下着ブランド名 「KIMONO」を商標登録申請している件について

Who is Sunao?

Sunao

Just in case you’re new here, this is who I am.

I, Sunao, own a kimono dressing lesson studio here in Kyoto to share the Japanese traditional culture, kimono, with everyone.

My personal goals are for people to start wearing kimonos, and for all the kimonos that are sitting in the closet to be worn again.

If you’re interested in me, please check out this article.(But this is in Japanese,sorry)

自己紹介ーすなおと着物とブログのこれから


Well, let’s get back on the track here…

So this whole issue with KKW and her brand name has caught the worlds attention. However, some feel as though Japanese people don’t actually care and that people who aren’t Japanese are making too much of a big deal out of it.

The reason why they think we don’t care about this issue is that they don’t hear our voice.

We are standing up and defending our beloved culture, and yet because not many Japanese people expressed their thoughts in English, most people around the world are unable to understand us and how WE feel about it.

And I thought this is the most baffling thing EVER.

Sunao

I can not stay silent as a Japanese!!!

So, in today’s article focus on the problem with KKW and KIMONO.

Feel free to share this article on any websites/SNS. It means so much to me, and I’d really appreciate it.

The point of this article is

  • To find clues to withdraw the KIMONO trademark registration
  • For the international community to hear our voice 
  •  For Japanese people to be aware of this problem

Sunao

I am absolutely against making the word “kimono” into a trademark.

Watch the Movie!

If you have not watched the movie yet,PLZ watch this!

You can see in English subtitles with the translation function of youtube.

What happens if “kimono” gets approved as a trademark?

The next three are the main issues.

  1. It could interfere with exporting kimonos to the US despite the fact that kimono is popular in states as well
  2. People will start to think of her shapewear brand when they see/hear the word “kimono”.
  3. It is possible that they put restrictions when we try and share our Japanese traditional clothing in the future. Kim’s company could legally own the word “kimono” and practice their rights not to let anyone else use it.

 

 

Not only Japanese but also many people around the globe have been expressing their anger towards this issue, and it shows how many international “Japanese kimono lovers” they are.

And because their love can easily be interfered by KKW, they are standing up just like we are.

Once the word is approved as a trademark, it is highly possible for the company to put restrictions on the use of the word “kimono”.

This can interfere with advertisement and sales in the United States.

Opinions

1 It doesn’t matter with me

We hear people saying “It has nothing to do with me”, “It doesn’t affect me directly” but is that true?

This is a hypothetical situation, but let’s say Japan imports Kim’s shapewear like “kimono” in the future and it becomes a huge thing here in Japan. The Reiwa-era(Japanese New era from May/2019) children might start to think of kimono as an undergarment.

Sunao

Don’t you feel angry? I feel so.

It is a FACT that an incredible story has already taken place, saying “You went in underwear?” When  you said “I wore a kimono at a wedding ceremony”

Kimono is a Japanese culture but the Japanese do not “own” kimono. Culture shouldn’t be owned by anyone because anyone should be able to experience and enjoy it.

But kimono might be at its risk of being owned.

2 It’s a cultural appropriation

The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.

I personally feel like it’s not really a cultural appropriation since she is only using the “term” and not earning more money out of it. It is little different from luxury brands selling Sikh turbans etc for example in my opinion.

I just don’t understand why she had to pick “kimono”.  I personally don’t see any pros of using it so why can’t she change the naming??

If anyone thinks we are cultural appropriating because we wear westerner clothing’s, let me just tell you that it’s a different story. The problem here is the TRADEMARK.

It is very wonderful that the kimono is imitated as a fashion, it is very welcome!

“This is a new kimono fashion!”

It is great to say that create a new form.I think fashion is a shared thing, and it spreads freely while changing.

However, this case is not imitation, homage arrangement, but just ROBBERY.

I can not forgive the decline of “Kimono” by any means.

3  Disrespectful

I am aware of the fact that there are many people in the world who doesn’t know what a kimono is.

However, I feel sad when I think it is such a Insignificant things.

And although not a lot of people wear kimono as casual clothing, KIMONO plays an important role in our culture.

Many wear 3rd, 5th, 7th birthday, coming of age, graduation, weddings, etc. Kimono isn’t a forgotten ancient culture, but it’s a living culture loved by people for centuries.

Sunao

Kimono is not just clothes for Japanese people.

With the kimono, we have a milestone in life, and memories for every kimono.

 

Then how to stop “kimono” from being approved as a trademark?

Some argue that they can’t make a noun into a trademark.

参考 キム・カーダシアンはKIMONOを商標登録できるか？Yahooニュース

For example, an apple can’t be a trademark because it’s a fruit but the Apple company was able to get the approval as the brand name for its electronic devices.

However since kimono is already in the same category as KKW’s shape line, it could be harder for her company to successfully earn the right.

In addition, 襦袢(Juban) is underwear which is a kind of kimono.

capcha of translation in Google

Capcha of the translation in Google

裾除け(Suso-yoke)、肌襦袢(Hada-juban)、和装ブラ(Japanese bras)  are also part of the kimono.

Kim’s new brand is “corrective underwear”.This is the same category, isn’t it?

Kimono is not only a visible part. These underwears are also kimonos.

Many people, especially KKW need to have a proper understanding of the kimono.

 

What can we do?

For those of you who are

  • against KKW’s shapewear line but I don’t know what I can do to help
  • frustrated because I don’t know English(For Japanese)

I’d like to recommend you to join the petition on Change.org.

Only things you need are your names, email address and the prefecture you live in.

You can join the petition

What we can do anything else

Here is a list of little things you could do to help improve the situation

  • post pictures of kimono on SNS with #KimOhNo
  • Tweet to KKW in English
  • Bring awareness of this issue by discussing kimono with your friends and family
  • share this post and the movie.
  • Talk about this issue with your friends, your workmates and your family.

I am not expert with law, and I am aware of the fact that this article is imperfect.

However, when I thought about what “I” could do to bring awareness, this was the answer.

 

We need all the help You can do.

Please share this article and help us protect our kimono.

 

コメントを残す

メールアドレスが公開されることはありません。

前の記事

米国セレブのキム・カーダシアンさんが下着ブランド名 「KIMO…

次の記事

※満員となりました。第一回「黒留袖の会」を開催します！