Another question: kimono cleaning?

[magid]

Is there somewhere in metro Boston that's knowledgeable about cleaning kimonos (both silk and cotton)? I'm assuming the average dry-cleaning place don't necessarily know how to treat them (ok, and obviously, neither do I...).

Comments

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

I feel like I should be able to answer this question, which is silly, because there's no reason I'd be able to solely by dint of having lived in both metroBoston and Japan. But I can make a suggestion: ask around at Coolidge Corner. I'm guessing some of the Japanese emigres who work there will have some advice, and I don't think anyone will be offended by your querying them as long as you do it politely (as I know you would).

Harness the power of Japanese superpoliteness for your own ends! Woot!

[magid.livejournal.com]

Nice usericon :-).

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't noticed a greater concentration of Japanese people in Coolidge Corner particularly, so I wouldn't've thought to ask there. (Not that I've noticed a concentration anywhere in metroBoston, compounded by my horribly stereotypical inability to distinguish different Asian people's nationalities.)

[queue.livejournal.com]

My completely uninformed guess is that any place that can clean delicate lingerie would also be able to clean a kimono, unless there is some peculiarity of kimono cleaning of which I am unaware. I googled a random Boston dry cleaner, and it listed lingerie as one of the things they clean.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I could see kimonos being equivalent to lingerie, but I could also see how they might be some other cleaning beast entirely...

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

I strongly recommend against taking kimono anywhere that does not actually state that they have experience with kimono and yukata. They are, as I understand it, their own thing.

By Coolidge Corner I meant the little complex of Japanese groceries/import shops/restaurants, many if not all of which are run by Japanese and Japanese American people. That's why I thought they might have more of a clue.

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

Doh! I meant Porter Exchange. I've been away from Boston a long time, if I'm confusing the Japanese and the Jews.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Ah! Makes much more sense now.

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

You are aware, I'd guess, of the fascination Jews and Judaism hold for many scholars of nihonjinron (literally "theories of Japaneseness")? There's a lot of bad social science here that compares the Jews and the Japanese as "especially unique" peoples relative to their neighbors (you hear a lot of "Japan is special and different and distinctive and unlike every other place on earth" living here). There are even some wacky theories that the Japanese are a Lost Tribe of Israel -- don't ask me which one.

And you thought Mormons were weird!

[magid.livejournal.com]

I knew that there were some Japanese who are fascinated by Jews (and apparently, at least one Japanese professor of Jews/Judaism who later converted), but I hadn't heard the Lost Tribe theory. There's a number of different groups that have been called one of the Lost Tribes; Wikipedia lists more than 12.

And I still think Mormons are weird. Having Japanese weirdness doesn't negate that!

OK, I can't resist after all.
"Funny, they don't look Jewish..."

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I asked my friend who has several kimono (got married in one, even) because I figured she must gotten one or more cleaned at some point and was told she takes them to the dry cleaner in Teele Square and is happy with the results. Her yukata, she handwashes in cold water.

She also added, "If it's a super-fancy antique handpaiinted silk kimono I wouldn't trust anyone with it."

If that is insufficient, I'd say ask at the place in Porter Exchange that sells 'em. Good luck.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I am not sure that place in Porter Exchange still exists, if you mean the little clothing boutique across the hall from Bluefin :\ We were there recently for dinner, and the clothing boutique has been replaced by a cosmetics store. Boo.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Dang. As if the world needs more cosmetics.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but at least in this case, I think this cosmetics place used to be elsewhere in the Exchange, out in the open area or something. The bakery that was in the open middle area has moved into a more permanent space, too.

[magid.livejournal.com]

That makes it less annoying, sure. Still, I'd rather have the eclectic clothing-and-other-things-Asian store there.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the cleaner recommendation.

[istemi.livejournal.com]

I believe hawkegirl owns some kimono from her time in Japan. I don't know her well enough to put you in touch with her, but roozle may be able to help.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[powerfrau.livejournal.com]

Maybe ask Jessica P from potluck. She has one and is heavily into fabrics-she may have an idea.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Ooh, another good thought.

Hope your travel went smoothly. It's strange not to have someone else around the house...