On Unveiling a Plaque

[steepholm]

Yesterday I went to Diana Wynne Jones's house in Clifton/Hotwells, to take part in an unveiling ceremony for a plaque, installed by the Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society, or CHIS (pronounced CHIZZ, a la Nigel Molesworth).

I wasn't sure how many people to expect, and considering that it had been raining for the previous 48 hours my hopes were not high, but in fact we got away with its being merely overcast and about 50 people turned up, most having to stand in the communal front garden of the Polygon. Diana's son Micky said a few words, then I weighed in with a brief appreciation, and finally the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding. Here we all are, with the plaque and (far right) the chair of the Society. Afterwards, Prosecco and mini pork pies. (Other snacks were available but that was my selection - an easy choice.)



I was with my lodger Moe, and Micky's wife Noriko happened to be wearing a rather lovely kimono made from a fabric (Ōshima-tsumugi) only produced in the island where Moe's mother comes from - Amami Ōshima. They dye it using flowers and a kind of mud unique to the island, apparently.

However, the most interesting kimono-related factoid came when someone remarked how complex they must be to put on, and I mentioned (more or less the only thing I know about the process) that one must always fold the left side of the kimono over the right side, as the reverse style is used only for dead people. Moe concurred, but added that, as a nurse in Osaka (where she worked mostly with elderly people), she often had the task of reversing the kimono after death - an action akin to that of closing a dead person's eyes. It makes perfect sense, but I admit it had never occurred to me before.

Comments

[heleninwales]

How nice to see Diana Wynne Jones being commemorated and a good turnout considering the weather. Also that's a fascinating fact about the kimono.

[sovay]

All of these facts about the existence of the plaque (and your presence at its unveiling), the regional fabric, and the reversing of the kimono are really cool.

[shewhomust]

This is the kind of post which makes me wish DW had a 'like' button. I have nothing to say, but I'm saying it anyhow.

[joyeuce]

My mother has recently been to Japan and brought back a kimono for my daughter. I will ensure she wears it the right way round!

I'm so glad they have put up a well-deserved plaque for DWJ, and that you got to be there.