When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to interact with a student from Taiwan. She was very interested in Japanese culture and asked me questions about it almost every day. One day, she asked me, “What’s the difference between a yukata and a kimono?” I froze for a moment, unsure how to explain it. I could only give her a simple answer, like “Yukata is worn in summer,” but I couldn’t provide any detailed explanation about kimonos. She then asked more questions, such as, “Why is yukata worn in summer?” and “In what situations do people wear kimonos?” With each question, I realized how little I actually knew about my own culture.
This experience motivated me to learn more about Japanese traditions. Through my research, I discovered that yukata is typically worn during casual summer events like festivals and fireworks displays. It is made from light, breathable fabric, making it suitable for the hot season. On the other hand, kimonos are more formal and are often worn on special occasions, with different styles and materials suited to the season or level of formality. Learning this made me feel more confident about explaining the differences to my Taiwanese friend.
From this experience, I realized that being Japanese doesn’t automatically mean I fully understand my culture. Explaining Japanese culture in English not only helped me practice the language but also gave me a chance to rediscover and deepen my knowledge of my own traditions. My interaction with the Taiwanese student was a valuable experience that broadened my perspective and encouraged me to embrace cultural exchange.
