A friend who loves kimonos and I took a trip to Kurashiki.
In the shopping arcade, we discovered a “kimono recycling shop,” and both of our spirits immediately soared.
“How about this one?”
“Nah, that’s not ‘omoshiroi’ (interesting/fun)—enough.” (Our shopping is always based on the “Is it fun?” standard.)
Every time I said something, the shop attendant seemed a bit scared. I couldn’t deny the atmosphere.
What? Is the Osaka dialect scary? I don’t consider myself a super intense Osaka Obachan (Auntie/older woman from Osaka), but maybe I’m just not self-aware.
Since I can only speak the Osaka dialect, there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Look, they have things like this.”
“This is good too! Why don’t you try it on?”
We rummaged through the shop, trying on one item after another, losing track of time and enjoying ourselves thoroughly.
“Every kimono is so nice…” My friend found three favorites but couldn’t decide which one to choose.
“That looks amazing! It’s so cute!”
“You don’t find things like this often.”
“It costs the same as the cheap hotel room tonight.”
“Why don’t you buy both? Or better yet, buy all of them and ask for a discount?”
I was practically acting as a sales clerk. The attendant behind me was clearly rooting for me, and the distance between us vanished completely.
In the end, my friend bought two kimonos.
If we were in Osaka, I would have seriously tried to bargain, but I decided to read the room and kept quiet.
The shop attendant gave us a furoshiki (cloth wrapper) as a bonus, which warmed my heart.
The time we spent there was more enjoyable than the sightseeing itself. I am grateful for the connection we made with the attendant and the kimonos.
Is there anything else you would like me to translate or write for you?
Minami Momoto’s News: “Is the ‘Osaka Obachan’ Scary? In Kurashiki”
