Yukata and other summertime fun gear is on its way to the Pokémon Center . Kimono have an interesting place in the Japanese fashion world. Yes, they have a deep connection to Japan’s traditional culture, but, at the same time, kimono are still worn today, so there’s room for modern designers to play around with new styles and motifs.
That’s especially true for yukata , the lighter type of kimono worn in the summer, particularly at Japan’s summer festivals. A while back we took a look at a line of Sanrio summer kimono , and now it’s Pokémon’s turn to show what it can do as a yukata inspiration! No fewer than five Pocket Monster species are featured in the pattern, with Vulpix , Poliwag , Treecko , Ogerpon , and Tadbulb enjoying some festival fun (Tadbulb is a particularly appropriate choice, since the Electric-type Pokémon looks an awful lot like the spherical paper lanterns that light up Japanese festival venues at night). They’re surrounded by popular festival food stall treats like shaved ice and candied apples, the round, water-filled yo-yos sold at festivals, and an uchiwa non-folding paper fan.
The illustrations sit atop a pattern of morning glories and fireworks, beautiful sights of midsummer mornings and nights, respectively . The Pokémon festival yukata, which comes bundled with an obi (sash) for 15,400 yen (US$96), is part of a new line of Japanese-style summertime leisure and fashion items going on sale at the Pokémon Center megastores. Since.