Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 4. (Budapest, 1976)

FERENCZY, László: A Bridal Costume from the Södo Kimono Academy

Similarly to other Japanese arts and social activities, the way of the kimono can be classed into four stages: gi, meaning the technical details, jutsu, the usual rules, e.g. the tying of the obi; ho, the social custom and do, the spiritual qualities of it. The name of Södo implies the ChineseJapanese characters for dress and way, and the Södo way of the kimono includes all the four aspects mentioned; its artistic essence represents already spiritual and social qualities. The aim of the Södo Academy — as Mr Norio Yamanaka, president of the Academy expresses it — is to preserve and revive the kimono culture and to build human relations on the base of love and courtesy in Japan and abroad. The philosophy of Södo tries to promote the harmonic and peaceful development of the whole society by the beauty of the kimono. The bridal costume sent by the Södo Academy has been put on show on the permanent new Japanese exhibition of the Hopp Museum which introduces the traditional branches of Japanese fine and applied arts. The costume gives a good idea of the kimono culture and of Japanese textile arts and it has found great success among the visitors. Its artistic appearance gives constant joy to everyone. We express our deep thanks to the kind officials of the Södo Kimono Academy who helped to organize this exchange. 155