Mayor Of Kyoto Asks Kim Kardashian To Reconsider Her Bid To Trademark “Kimono”

The mayor of the Japanese city of Kyoto has written an open letter to Kim Kardashian in the hopes of persuading her to change her mind on her controversial bid to trademark “Kimono.”

In a letter posted to the city’s website, Daisaku Kadokawa writes, “Dear Ms. Kim Kardashian West, I am writing this letter to convey our thoughts on Kimono and ask you to reconsider your decision of using the name Kimono in your trademark.”

Mayor Kadokawa continued in his letter, “Kimono is a traditional ethnic dress fostered in our rich nature and history with our predecessors’ tireless endeavors and studies, and it is a culture that has been cherished and passed down with care in our living. Also, it is a fruit of craftsmanship and truly symbolizes sense of beauty, spirits and values of Japanese.”

According to the Blast, the reality star announced earlier this week her plans to trademark the name and released a statement to The NY Times addressing the backlash by saying she had no desire “to design or release any garments that would in any way resemble or dishonor the traditional garment.”

Kardashian made it very clear in her statement that she has no plans to change the name of her company adding, “I made the decision to name my company Kimono, not to disassociate the word from its Japanese roots but as a nod to the beauty and detail that goes into a garment. Filing a trademark is a source identifier that will allow me to use the word for my shapewear and intimates line but does not preclude or restrict anyone, in this instance, from making kimonos or using the word kimono in reference to the traditional garment. My solution wear brand is built with inclusivity and diversity at its core and I’m incredibly proud of what’s to come.”