Paraguay to host "Kimono Show" celebrating 90 years of Japanese immigration

Asunción, Paraguay, will host a "Kimono Show" this Sunday, July 26, at the Teatro “José Asunción Flores” of the Central Bank of Paraguay. The event commemorates 90 years of Japanese immigration to Paraguay and will showcase over one hundred models of traditional Japanese kimonos. Localidades for the highly anticipated show are already sold out.

The "Kimono Show" aims to present a journey through the main traditions of the Japanese kimono under the theme "Gratitude and Respect, a 90-year bond." The exhibition will highlight five emblematic kimono styles: Kodomo (children's wear), Houmongi (semi-formal occasions), Yukata (summer festivals), Furisode (for unmarried young women), and Hakama (ceremonies and celebrations). A traditional Japanese wedding ceremony will also be depicted on stage.

Many of the garments to be displayed are made from hand-embroidered or hand-painted fabrics, preserved by families for generations. Organizers emphasized that the kimono represents a cultural legacy embodying values such as respect, gratitude, discipline, and a sense of belonging within the Japanese and Nikkei (overseas descendants) communities. The event is organized by the Commission for the Commemoration of 90 Years of Japanese Immigration, with support from the Japanese Embassy and the Central Bank of Paraguay.

The show's finale will feature the Paraguayan musical duo Purahéi Soul. They will perform "Arigatō, Yvy Porã," a song specially composed for the occasion. The title, a blend of Guaraní and Japanese, translates to "Thank you, beautiful land," expressing the gratitude of the Japanese and Nikkei community towards Paraguay for its hospitality.