ELMORE – Kerry Porter, owner of Ohio Kimono, is exhibiting 40 Japanese kimonos from her collection in the
McAlear Gallery of the Brown Welcome Center at the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore. The
exhibit runs now through July 10 at the 17-acre garden estate.
An opening reception will be held this Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Brown Welcome Center with Porter
present.
The Toledo resident is regarded as one of the area’s leading Japanese textile enthusiasts. Over the years
she has studied and collected Japanese kimonos that embody the variety of beautiful textile arts the
Japanese have to offer.
The kimonos on display are authentic and were produced in Japan using traditional methods that date back
hundreds of years. Some of the kimonos are vintage pre-World War II pieces, and others are more modern
works of textile art. Each kimono on display is a unique work of art, and was made entirely by hand.
In addition to the kimono, the Schedel Arboretum & Garden will also be displaying its own
collection of 36 antique netsuke. Kimonos do not have pockets so "sagemono," or small pouches,
were used to carry items similar to a purse.
Netsuke are small functional works of art that were attached to a cord from which the sagemono was hung.
The netsuke acted as a toggle on the end of the cord that slipped under the obi, or wide belt, that kept
the kimono closed.
The Schedel collection are all made from hand carved ivory.
Schedel Gardens is located at 19255 W. Portage River South Road, in Elmore.
Call (419) 862-3182 or visit www.schedel-gardens.org for more information about the exhibit and hours of
operation.