Crowdfunding campaign opens for Japanese international friendship initiative’s gorgeous designs.

As an indigenously Japanese article of clothing, kimono usually take the inspiration for their fabric patterns from Japan’s natural environment and cultural traditions. However, Imagine Oneworld, a Japanese organization that “aims to contribute to world peace and build a prosperous world,” thinks that kimono have the power to create connections that go beyond Japan’s national borders.

The Imagine Oneworld Kimono Project seeks to create a collection of 196 kimono, each representing a different country. Currently, 55 have been completed, and the organization has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Japanese website Campfire to help secure the finances it needs for the remaining 141.

Each design will incorporate cues from that nation’s scenic beauty, history, and cultural heritage.

▼ Working designs for Canada, Germany, Slovakia, Bolivia, Lithuania, Fiji, Cameroon, Italy, Bhutan, and Uzbekistan.

Imagine Oneworld hopes to have all 196 kimono competed by 2020, a goal chosen both because of that year’s Tokyo Olympics, and also because the organization says that some of the kimono-making techniques it plans to employ are in danger of being lost forever as the few craftsmen skilled in them succumb to old age.

▼ Kimono representing Palau

▼ Peru

▼ Canada

In addition to the robe itself, an obi, the ornate sash used to tie the kimono closed, will also be produced for each country.

▼ India

The ambitious crowdfunding project is seeking 120 million yen (US$1.08 million), which will contribute not only to the production of the kimono, but will also be used to organize public exhibitions and maintain the garments’ upkeep (though Imagine Oneworld says the total costs will be far beyond what it hopes to raise through crowdfunding). Pledge tiers start at 3,000 yen, and rewards include iPhone cases and tumblers featuring individual country designs.

▼ iPhone cases with designs for South Africa, France, Nigeria, Paraguay, and Italy

▼ Tumblers for Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Madagascar, and Russia

The Imagine Oneworld Kimono Project crowdfunding campaign runs until July 15, and can be found here.

Source: Campfire via IT Media, Imagine Oneworld
Top image: Campfire
Insert images: Campfire, Imagine Oneworld (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) (edited by SoraNews24)