Through lectures and exhibitions, we convey the artistic and social history of the kimono and demonstrate how its values can be applied meaningfully in today’s life. The kimono embodies fundamental traditional values of Japan and continues to be passed down and worn from generation to generation. Its textile craftsmanship is incredibly creative and versatile, as impressively demonstrated by the various printing, weaving, and embroidery techniques. The textile design, with its diverse world of patterns and motifs, holds a timeless beauty and symbolism deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

For over 1,100 years, the T-shaped basic form of the kimono has remained unchanged, which is unique in the history of clothing worldwide. Only when worn does the kimono achieve its final, individual form, allowing it to be worn by people of different body shapes and sizes and to be passed down from generation to generation. This idea of sustainability in fashion is timeless, functional, and forward-looking.

The kimono embodies a variety of values and aspects, of which we mention only a few examples here to show how fascinating and inspiring its cultural significance is.

The Three Cranes Association has the mission to convey and promote the values of kimono culture through lectures, exhibitions, tours, public discussions in art institutions, and smaller presentations at private events. Additionally, we collect old to antique kimonos to preserve the textile craftsmanship, the special sewing technique, and the aesthetic beauty as an art form, making these values directly visible and tangible in our presentations with an original kimono. Examples of museums where presentations have taken place include the Museum Rietberg Zurich in the exhibition „Kimono – Kyoto to Catwalk“ in 2023-2024, the Museum für Gestaltung Zurich in the exhibition „Fashion Drive“ in 2021, the Kunsthaus Zurich as part of the „Festspiele Zurich“ in 2018, the Haus Konstruktiv Zurich in the exhibition „Logical Emotion – Contemporary Art from Japan“ in 2015, and the Museum Bellerive Zurich in the exhibition „Im Reich der Falten. Mode und Textilkunst aus Japan“ in 2013.