A/N: This was my entry to the HPAIR 2005 in Tokyo, Japan.

I have always been intrigued and fascinated by kimonos. Its intricate patterns and designs, the "agonizing" process of how it is put on, its sense of sophistication, and of course, the way Japanese women wear it around in such a beautiful manner.

I wore a kimono just once in my lifetime--and I am not so sure if there's going to be a next time--but I can't help but be in awe of such a wonderful creation--as old as Japan itself, but as resilient as its people.

Behind the gentle and fragile facade of the kimono lies the fact that it went through all the beauty and ugliness life had to offer. The kimono has lived through the blood stain of wars, entertained people in the kabuki houses, and not to mention colored Yoshiwara (the “Floating World”) throughout the Edo Period.

It is not puzzling then, to be aware that the kimono still exists today. It continues to be one of the symbols deeply ingrained within the Japanese people. Even the newest and possibly greatest challenge to cultural diversity--modernization--seems no match for the kimono itself.

Try to stroll around the bustling streets of Tokyo for even one time only. What do you see? Well of course, as one might expect: sky scrapers, giant LCD screens mounted on the buildings showing a foot ball game, cutting edge mobile gadgets and facilities, cars running on fermented garbage and all of those "techie stuff" that simply amazes us when we know that it's labeled “Made in Japan".

But, try to look closer. Against the backdrop of this seemingly hi-tech environment that could well be the 23rd Century is an element of the past that completely blends in with the present, nonetheless the future. That would be no other than kimonos.

If it's your first time to visit Japan and you happen to see women in the busy streets wearing their kimonos, you might start to think that they somehow belong back in the old days of the dust roads, the katanas (samurai sword) and wakisazhis (smaller version of a samurai sword), horse-drawn carriages and not to mention, the great Samurais. Well, think again. Inside the pouch they're holding could be a 3G phone, an MP3 player, a PDA or a digital camera.

Even the fashion trendy image of Japan seemed to make room for the kimono. And so while on the pedestrian lane, most people would be wearing the "latest" outfit, while others are in kimonos--which seem to blend in with the crowd with so much ease.

Somehow, the timelessness of kimonos gives us a reflection of Nippon itself. To me, it seems like the Japanese perfectly managed to exist in a place where the past is in complete harmony with the ever changing world.

No matter how fast globalization or the so-called "McDonaldization" has penetrated into many societies and cultures, it looks like it is having a hard time doing so in the Japanese case.

How the Japanese people are able to experience continuous growth and development without giving up their culture and identity is something truly amazing and worth emulating. This reminds us further that we can welcome change without sacrificing who we are as a people.

But just how do they do it? How come other countries are facing such a feat with far more difficulty?

Japan, as a collectivist society is surprisingly able to balance conformity and flexibility. Perhaps, this can be traced back to when Ieyasu Tokugawa closed Japan from contact with the entire world. During that period of time, I believe the people's nationalism and devotion to who they were as a country and people was firmly established and further grew throughout time.

Even when the US came in during the Restoration (1880s), somehow Japan kept its identity intact, distinct and resilient. On the other hand, the Japanese were able to incorporate and use Western influence to suit and develop their own needs but not entirely change them.

So, does this mean that in order for other countries to preserve their culture, they have to close their borders to the world as well? Well, no. It's entirely wrong and unreasonable for one country to do that now. Perhaps, Japan's advantage is that it's able to accomplish such matter in the right time frame (the Japanese have Tokugawa to thank that for).

It is more important now than ever for any country to be receptive to the benefits modernization has to bring. But of course, along with the gifts of globalization comes it curse for possibly losing one's identity and culture. In the end, the jury for homogeneity is still underway.

As for Japan, I am sure major changes will continue to happen--the chance of them introducing the first flying cars or teleportation technology will not be a surprise--not only for Japan itself but for the whole world as well. But as for the kimono, I think it will remain as one of the threads that bind the Japanese society with its past, present and future.