The Stories Clothes Tell

"Oh, the wonders of those old, tattered clothes! Even when they had become so threadbare that they were ready to be thrown out, they were still treaded with extraordinary respect - being meticulously mended, washed, and folded. This repair work was hardly necessary, yet the patches used to mend them were so carefully chosen and placed, despite the fact that these garments would be worn only in the fields, where there would be no one else to see them. Clearly, the people who wore these clothes had an outlook on life that we rarely see today - sound, industrious, and ultimately full of hope. " p. 160

I recently finished reading The Stories Clothes Tell by Tatsuichi Horikiri, and it left a profound impression on me.

This book provides a powerful account of Horikiri’s journey growing up in Japan, where he developed a deep connection to the clothes and textiles of working-class Japan in the early 20th century. Horikiri didn’t just collect these garments—he preserved the stories woven into them, believing that textiles hold the essence of human experience.

Through his narrative, we gain valuable insights into the cultural context of these clothes, reflecting the realities of family life, work, war, poverty, and social hierarchy in Japan during that time. The resilience embodied in these textiles, despite the hardships they represent, is profoundly moving.

"The owners did not always want to talk about these garments of theirs. The clothes were certainly old, worn out, stained, and heavily mended - really, nothing to boast about. As I have written in these pages, it was their sense of shame at being so poor that made these folks reluctant to speak." p.159 

Horikiri’s dedication to preserving over 3,500 garments has allowed us to connect with these significant pieces of history, now housed at the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History. His work ensures that these textiles, and the stories they carry, are not lost to time.

One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was the respect and care shown to these garments, despite the hardships faced by the wearers are evident in the thoughtfully mended patches, careful stitches, and even the way they were washed, folded, and stored.

The resilience embedded in these garments serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity to endure and find beauty even amidst hardship.

It’s also humbling to consider that, for many, these carefully preserved textiles might have been their only set of clothes, a reality that deepens my appreciation for the resourcefulness and resilience of those who wore them.