From the Judges:
“Kimonos can’t speak — not beyond their symbols and designs — or can they? Upon reading this beautiful story, which carries the generous feeling of a ritual, the judges noted that the serenity of both Buddhist temples and silk kimono are parallel. An unusual viewpoint brings to life the story of a young girl’s relationship to her beloved garment, which honors her various rites of passage. Well-crafted images evoke detailed visions in the mind’s eye.”

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Butterfly

As my designs were birthed in Aobana dye, patterns spread across seams, Yuzen paint permeated every corner, so she also was born, birthed in flesh, fragile limbs spread wide, loud cries permeated every corner. Never will I forget our first shrine visit on her Omiyamairi to Heian Jingu Shrine. Draped over her doll-like shoulders, my sleeves gently flapped in the soft breeze like butterfly wings. After the priest intoned prayers in his sonorous voice, she and I were carried home beneath the Shidare Zakura trees that waved gently in the wind.

Wrapped in crisp paper, I was placed in a dark drawer until I was sent to the seamstress a few years later, her nimble hands stitched in more length. Back to Heian Jingu Shrine we went, this time the butterfly large enough to wear her wings. The priest intoned his prayers and bestowed a few candies. We walked home beneath amber-hued Momiji maples, the bells in her small zori shoes jingling with every step.

I was wrapped, then placed in the same dark drawer until the ritual repeated a few years later. Then, it was a long wait before I was again sent to the seamstress, her nimble hands a little more wrinkled than before, my seam lengthened for a gangly girl who resembled yet differed from the child I knew. At Horin-ji Temple, she wrote something on paper and received brocaded packets from the priest.

Several years later, my next visit to the seamstress was my last. For the last time, I walked with my child, now a woman, to Heian Jingu Shrine, graceful as the winter peony in her hair. While she smiled, surrounded by friends, I saw she was cherished just as much as I was cherished as I watched over her these many years.

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Anne Roskowski was born and raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). She currently works as a teacher while studying to be a Japanese to English translator and interpreter. Her dream is to one day move to Japan to explore the language and regional cultures through work and travel around the country. Anne developed a passion for the beauty and history of kimono last year when she began taking lessons in kimono dressing. She was inspired to write her piece after attending a kimono tailoring seminar, wherein she heard about a grandmother who had a kimono specially made for her granddaughter.

Anne has dedicated “Butterfly” to her kimono instructor, for passing unto her invaluable skills and a love for kimono. 

Anne Roskowski with Cherry Blossoms

For the full list of this year’s competition winners, click here.
For the original competition notice (with prize details), click here.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the competition this year. Guidelines and prizes for the Ninth Annual Kyoto Writing Competition will be posted on the Writers in Kyoto website in November. We hope to receive your submission for the next round.