Products
Our products are personally selected in Japan and are mostly Silk pre-owned to Vintage and sometimes Antique, Wigs (Nihongami), Dolls , and a small selection of collectable artifacts. In the near future we will be offering more products from Japan. To see the products now available please click on the Icon.
Uchikake - Used for the Wedding Ceremony the Uchikake is one of the most elaborate of the Kimono sorts. They can be used for decoration but I also have new Uchikake suitable for a Wedding Ceremony
Uchikake is a wedding robe worn over a kimono.
They are long because the bottom is padded to trail along the floor.
They are worn without obi.
Furisode - The Furisode is worn on a number of occasions by unmarried woman, a bride can wear a furisode and it is worn by girls turning 20 for a special day in January called " The Coming of Age ". But most of all the Furisode is know from the Maiko in Kyoto. The apprentice geishas have become world renown for the beautiful costumes that they wear in their younger years.
Tomesode - The most formal kimono worn to weddings and other formal occasions by married woman.
The tomesode is a black formal kimono and is combined with a multi-color design on the skirt. The Tomesode usually has 3 or 5 family crests called "Mon".
Kimono- I also have a good variety of Vintage and Modern Kimonos used in daily life for visiting , shopping or going out.
Obi- The beautiful richly designed Sashes that are used to hold the kimono in place and decorate the kimono giving it its charm and contrast. The Obi is great for decoration purposes around the house or to make cushions or to use for patchwork.
Katsura - Also known as The Geisha wig or Japanese Wedding Wig. In Japanese they are called Nihongami (japanese hairstyle) Katsura (wig), and are made from Human Hair or a mix of human and synthetic fiber. There are different styles all with their own name but the most common is the Taka Shimada used in the wedding ceremony. I also can arrange rental of new wigs directly from japan or from my collection in Holland. There are basically 2 grades of wigs available at the moment. The vintage wigs which are in very good condition but have been out dated and are suitable for cosplay or stage productions. The second type are new wigs which have a net hairline and are suitable for weddings or Japanese dancing. Please click on the link to see examples of the wigs which are available. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions about the Katsura.
Kanzashi - Hair Decorations、combs and pins used in the decoration of traditional japanese hairstyles. But also look great used in modern up styles.
Accessories - Ranging from Obi Age and Obi Jime and other items that are used to wear the Kimono also Tabi , Belts, Fans and Bags.
Dolls - Dolls have been an Art in Japan for many years. They are used for ceremonies and decoration. The Hina doll and Boys Day displays are very elaborate and these range in age from vintage to new. Dolls are a great way to add the japanese touch to your living room or for the collector.
March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Festival), when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside the house. The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1192).
The practice of displaying these dolls on the third day of the third month on the traditional Japanese calendar began during the Edo period (1603-1868).
A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes. The display also includes miniature household articles which often are exquisite artistic productions. The dolls most highly valued are the Dairi-sama, which represent the Emperor and Empress in resplendent court costumes of silk. They are attended by their two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians.
Most families take their beautiful collection of dolls out of the closet around mid-February and put it away again as soon as Hina Matsuri is over. This is because of an old superstition that families that are slow in putting back the dolls have trouble marrying off their daughters.
Services : At Nippon Imports we also offer Kimono Rental and Katsura Rental for Japanese Wedding Ceremonies, or Fancy Dress Parties. You can also have your photo taken dressed as a Geisha or Maiko. The Kimono dressing, make up and styling is carried out by myself, accompanied by a photographer. This service includes make-up , Kimono dressing and wig ( katsura ) and the desired amount and style of photos. Kimono Shows and dressing demonstrations are also possible. I am free to travel. If you have any questions regarding a particular product or service please feel free to contact me and I will try to answer your questions as best I can. If you would like to see photos taken at recent photo shoot you can go directly there. Photos .
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COMING SOON INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANNED KIMONO TOURS IN JAPAN IN MARCH- APRIL and SEPTEMBER 2007.
Together with Jalpak Japan Tours.nl Nippon Imports will be organizing tours through Japan with an accent on going to markets to get your own kimono and unique antiques. The tours will be small groups and will be flexible in free time or extra activities. Keep an eye out on the website of Japan Tours. You can also find more information about the tours here.
Past Events
In july 2005 we did a show at Club Vegeas Tokyo Version at The Winston Hotel in Amsterdam.
Mina (one of our models) also has some great pictures at her web blog.
In September 2005 we were glad to take part in the Japans Festival in Almere.
Here is more information about the event from
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AnimeCon.nl is the website for Holland's largest annual anime festival, for more information visit
This year you'll have the chance to hear, see and experience anything and everything about the wearing of kimono.There will be demonstrations of putting on the kimono and a number of visitors will get to participate in these demos. So hop in and finally ask those questions you always wanted to, but never knew who to ask them.
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KIMONO SHOW- 28th July 2006
In conjunction with the Japanese season in the Van Gogh Museum (7 July - 22 October) and the Amsterdam International Fashion Week (26 - 31 July), graphic designer Emiko Chujo, visual artist Takako Hamano and Michelle Kranz from Nippon Imports have organised an informal kimono show that harmoniously combines tradition and modern accents. The selection and compilation of the costumes is an ode to Vincent van Gogh. Music by DJ Johan Kleinjan.
Ter gelegenheid van de Japanse zomer in het Van Gogh Museum (7 juli t/m 22 oktober) en de Amsterdam International Fashion Week (26 t/m 31 juli) verzorgen grafisch ontwerper Emiko Chujo en beeldend kunstenaar Takako Hamano in samenwerking met Nippon Imports een informele kimono show, waarin traditie en een hedendaags accent harmonisch samengaan. De selectie en samenstellingen van de kostuums zijn gemaakt als ode aan Vincent van Gogh. Muziek van dj Johan Kleinjan.
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The Kimono show was a great success and my many thanks to all the people who helped us make a fantastic show.
Photos of the Kimono Show in de Van Gogh Museum are now ONLINE.
For some fun behind the scenes photos check out the web album of Mina, one of our models.
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WERELD BUURT FESTIVAL AMSTERDAM
Het festival 'In 1 dag de wereld rond' wordt dit jaar voor de eerste keer gehouden op zaterdag 16 september 2006. Stichting Wereldbuurt gaat dit festival jaarlijks organiseren in de Hoofddorpplein/Schinkelbuurt. Dit jaar zijn de volgende landen vertegenwoordigd:
Japan, India, Frankrijk, Turkije, Suriname, Peru, Amerika, Brazilie, Mexico, Italie, Nederland en diverse landen in Afrika.
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