Coronavirus crisis threatens to unravel Japanese artist's kimono ambitions

Japanese artist Hiroko Takahashi wears a protective face mask as she poses for a photograph in front of mannequins displaying yukata, a lighter kimono which she designed, at her studio in Tokyo, Japan July 1, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese artist Hiroko Takahashi fought through sexism and suspicion from traditional kimono artisans to establish a globally known brand that sold hundreds of her original garments every month - until the coronavirus devastation hit.

Takahashi has tried to regroup by selling handmade masks sewn from kimono fabric.