Few images of Japanese culture are as evocative as an elegant lady in a beautiful silk kimono. Although rarely worn nowadays, the kimono holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese and Westerners alike; a symbol of refinement, sophistication and taste. Yet 'kimono' translates simply as 'clothing', and was the everyday attire of all Japanese people for centuries.
In modern Japan you will still see the occasional old lady who has never worn anything except kimono, but most people only don their national costume on special occasions. Weddings, New Year celebrations and highbrow performances are all places where you can see women (and men in their hakama version) wrapped in fine silks; their clothing revealing much about their social status, lifestyles and tastes.
There are many types of kimono and many ways of wearing each type. Each nuance has meaning which can be 'read' by others. Young, unmarried women wear bright, gaudy furisode with sleeves reaching to their ankles. This shows they are old enough to marry, but are still eligible and looking for a suitable bachelor. During the wedding, a heavy uchikake is worn on top. After the ceremony, the kimono is changed for a shorter-sleeved, married woman's version to signify that she is no longer available.
Married women wear black tomesode or paler houmongi to formal occasions such as weddings. In this case, black is a joyful colour as it shows off the bride's bright colours to greater effect. Here, the tomesode has colourful embroidery and auspicious motifs around the base.
In summer, light cotton yukata are easy for everybody to wear and can be seen during Japanese festivals and informal outdoor events.
It is very difficult to put on a kimono as there are many different folds, tucks and ties involved. Furisode can include up to 35 different pieces so the dresser must be very skilled (and the wearer must be very patient!). Several layers of underwear, ties and pads turn the body into a cylinder shape - it is not desirable to have a voluptuous figure and any curves will be flattened down or padded out. The kimono collar is ALWAYS worn left-over-right for both men and women. This is perhaps the most important point, because the only time you wear it right-over-left is as a corpse, at your own funeral!
The main kimono is tied with an obi, a strip of stiff, hand-woven silk approximately 13 feet long. The obi is wound around the body several times and then tied at the back. Why at the back? Well, traditionally, courtesans tied theirs at the front for 'easy access', so tying at the back denotes a woman's virtue. The way the obi is tied also says a lot about the woman. Young women wear theirs very elaborately in the shape of a butterfly, turtle, bow or bird. Older women prefer a simpler shape with perhaps a picture on the obi itself. Those courtesans just tied it in a big knot as it wouldn't be staying there for long!
The kimono is made from a single long piece of silk which is patterned before it is sewn together. Some are painted with lucky images using stencil dyes or freehand painting. Others are painstakingly embroidered with single-ply threads. Some have a mixture of painting and embroidery and can cost a small fortune. The obi can be almost as expensive as the kimono as it is hand-woven and takes many weeks to produce.
So, what about footwear?
Japanese people take off their shoes before they enter a house, temple or other special building, so traditional Japanese shoes are easy to slip on and off, looking a bit like Western flip-flops. Often, the shoes are exquisitely decorated on the inside, so that when they are removed people can see the lovely patterns. Japanese socks even have split toes so they can be worn with zori shoes. Tabi socks are made from starched white cotton and have elaborate hook and eye fastenings. They slide so beautifully across tatami flooring that this noise is an integral part of the Tea Ceremony.
I hope you are beginning to see how each component of the kimono is essential to the overall effect. It must be worn absolutely correctly otherwise the wrong impression will be given, but can be adapted to reflect the personality and feelings of the wearer.
The word kimono literally translates to "something worn" and has been considered the national attire of Japan since its inception in the fifth century. The earliest kimono were influenced through extensive cultural exchanges between China and Japan, when Chinese traders introduced traditional clothing known as Hanfu, which were later modified throughout Japan's history resulting in todays contemporary kimono.
Kimono can best be described as a T- shaped, straight lined robe with a collar and wide full length sleeves that falls to the ankle, made from a single bolt of fabric known as a tan, which comes in standard dimensions. The kimono consists of four main strips of cloth, two panels forming the sleeves, two covering the body, and additional smaller pieces that make up the narrow front panel and collar. Kimono are traditionally sewn by hand, and their fabrics are also often hand made and hand decorated using silk, silk brocade, silk crepes, and satin weaves known as ninzu. The level of formality ranges from casual to extremely formal, and in the case of women is determined by the pattern, fabric, and color. Kimono worn by young women have longer sleeves and are more elaborate than those of older women, while men's kimono are usually one basic shape worn in subdued colors. Unmarried women traditionally have worn a style of kimono known as furisode, which has floor length sleeves and is usually displayed on special occasions.
Kimono for women are typically similar in size, and are adjusted to various body types by folding and tucking. A kimono that ends at the wrist when the arms are lowered is considered an ideal fit. The process of putting on a kimono is quite difficult and time consuming, and often requires the help of an assistant. Kimono are wrapped around the body in a precise manner from left to right, and are secured by a wide belt known as an obi, which is tied at the back. Traditional footwear called geta which is a thonged wooden platform shoe, and split stockings known as tabi are always worn with the kimono. In recent times kimono are most often worn by women and occasionally men at weddings, tea ceremonies, or other formal occasions.
Professional sumo wrestlers who are required to wear traditional Japanese clothes whenever appearing in public can also be seen in kimono. Special courses are available in Japan for enthusiasts interested in learning the correct techniques for putting on kimono. Classes also cover how to match kimono undergarments and accessories, choosing the appropriate pattern and fabrics to the season or event, and selecting and tying the obi. Kimono are often very expensive, with a complete outfit consisting of undergarments, obi, ties, socks, sandals, and accessories easily exceeding $20,000.
A kimono is a word that means clothing in the Japan culture. It is a recognized garment that is known all over for its beauty and symbolism. There are many different styles of kimono for different reasons and occasions and some that are even worn by men in the Japanese culture.
Many of the people that are seen wearing kimono today is usually known to be older women and on special occasions. Most of this is due to the cost of this expensive garment. They are usually made from silk and can be hard for many of the Japanese to afford because of its lavish style. Most of the time, a kimono is given to a child by a parent or made for them.
Women are most seen wearing the kimono. They are worn for many occasions and are considered a tradition for most. Girls will wear one when they attend anything that is tied to the arts. A younger girl and single women wear a more colorful style of Kimono with longer sleeves and tied with a bright colored sash. A Kimono is made with material that has a simple pattern and is more plain and casual in style.
At weddings, the bride and the groom will go through a series of clothing changes using Kimono. A shiromuku is a heavy white Kimono that has great detail etched in it. The groom will wear a black one that is made from silk and will carry the family crest called a hakama or a pleated skirt. They will also wear a short coat called a haori.
Usually in the Japanese culture, when there is a funeral to attend, the men and the women will wear a black kimono to show respect. When a man is going to a funeral, it is custom for them to wear a black tie and for a wedding they have to wear a white tie. This is the only way that a person will know where the man is going when wearing a black kimono.
The mother will pass down the tradition of putting on a kimono to her daughter. There are however, special classes that will teach the occasions and the art of putting on one of these beautiful pieces of clothing. Most of the time a Kimono is made from silk, wool or another man made fiber. It will depend on the month and the weather as to which one will be worn and when.
There is an art to putting on the Kimono and it has to be done correctly. The first thing to do is put on the white socks called the tabi. Next are the undergarments and then the wrap around skirt. Finally comes the kimono with the left side over the right side and it tied with an Obi.
It is essential that a person who wears a kimono know when to wear it and the proper way to put it on the body. This is part of a culture and is important to understand before putting one on.
Kimono(Is the clothing of traditional Japan. Literal translation is the kimono dress or something worn (ki means life, and mono means goods).
In the current era, kimono-shaped like the letter "T", like a coat with long sleeves and collar. Length kimono made up to the ankle. Woman wearing a kimono-shaped overalls, while a man wearing a kimono-shaped suit. The collar of the right must be under the collar of the left.Cloth belt, called obi tied around the stomach / waist, and tied at the back. Footwear when wearing a kimono is Zōri or geta.
Kimono now more often worn on special occasions women. Unmarried women wore a kind of kimono called furisode. furisode characteristic is the wide arm almost touching the floor. Women who completed 20 years of age to attend wearing furisode shiki consent. Man wearing a kimono at the wedding wedding,tea ceremony, and other formal events. When he appeared outside the arena of sumo, professional wrestlers are required to wear a kimono. The children dressed in kimono while attending a celebration Shichi-Go-San. In addition, workers wear a kimono industry and tourism services, restaurant waitress traditional (ryōtei) and employees of traditional inns (Ryokan).
Apparel bridal traditional Japanese woman (hanayome ishō) consists of furisode and uchikake (coat worn over furisode). Furisode for the bride to furisode different from young women who were not married. Materials to be furisode wedding motif that is believed to invite luck, like a picture of bird level. Color furisode bride furisode brighter than usual. Shiromuku is the name for the traditional dress of the bride furisode colored white with a motif fabric cleaner that also white.
As a differentiator from Western clothing (yōfuku) is known since the Meiji era, Japanese people refer to traditional Japanese clothing as wafuku Clothing Japan). Before the familiar Western clothes, all clothing worn is called Japanese kimonos. Another term for a kimono is gofukuGofuku term originally used to describe the clothing of the state of Wu Dong (Japanese: Go country) who arrived in Japan from mainland China.
The selection of the appropriate kimono requires knowledge of the symbolism and subtle cues that contained each type of kimono. The level of formality is determined by the woman's kimono fabric patterns and colors, ranging from the most formal kimono to kimono casually. Based on the type worn kimono, kimono can show the user age, marital status, and level of formality of the event attended.
Tomesode is the most formal kimono for married women. If the color black, this type of kimono called kurotomesode (literally: black tomesode). Family symbol Kurotomesode (kamon) in three places: 1 in back, 2 in the upper chest (right / left), and 2 rear arm (right / left). Characteristic motifs kurotomesode is beautiful on suso (the bottom around the foot) front and rear. Kurotomesode used to attend the reception weddings and events are very formal.
Tomesode made of colored cloth called irotomesode (literally: tomesode color). Depend on the level of formality of the event, the user can select the number of family coat of arms on a kimono cloth, ranging from one, three, up to five pieces for a very formal event. This type of kimono worn by adult women who have / have not married. Kimono irotomesode type used to attend an event that does not allow guests to come wearing kurotomesode, such as a reception at the imperial court. Just as kurotomesode, irotomesode characteristic is beautiful in suso motive.
Furisode is the most formal kimono for young women who have not married. Material brightly colored with conspicuous pattern throughout the fabric. Furisode characteristic is part of a very wide sleeves, and hanging down. Furisode worn when attending the ceremony shiki permission, attend a reception wedding friends, the ceremony graduation, or Hatsumōde. Trousseau called hanayome ishō including one of furisode.
Hōmon-gi (Meaning literally: clothes for the visit) is a formal kimono for women, married or not married. Users are free to choose to wear featuring material family emblem or not. Homongi are characteristic motifs in all parts of the cloth, front and rear. Homongi used as a guest of a wedding reception, tea ceremony, or celebrate the new year.
Iromuji is semiformal kimono, but it could be a formal kimono if it has the symbol iromuji family (kamon). In accordance with the level of formality kimono, coat of arms could have 1, 3, or 5 places (the back, the arms, and the chest). Iromoji not made of patterned and colored materials soft, pink,blue young, or yellow, young or soft colors. Iromuji with the family coat of arms can be worn 5 places to attend the wedding. When you attend a tea ceremony, is used iromuji with a coat of arms.
Tsukesage is semiformal kimono for women who have or have not married. According to the level of formality, tsukesage position just below homongi level. This type of kimono has no coat of arms. Tsukesage charged to attend the tea ceremony is not so formal, wedding, formal party, or celebrating the new year.
Komon is relaxed kimono for women who have or have not married. Characteristic of this type of kimono is a simple motif and the small size of many. Komon apply to attend the reunion,dinner, meet friends, or watching the show in the building.
Tsumugi is relaxed kimono for everyday wear at home by a woman who has or has not married. However, this type of kimono worn allowed leaving the house such as shopping and a walk. Materials used are simple cloth woven from yarns of cotton or silk yarn thick low class and rude. This type of Kimono durable, and was once worn to work in the fields.
Montsuki suit worn with hakama and haori a traditional bridegroom's clothes. This suit is only worn when attending very formal ceremony, such as the reception of the award of the emperor / government or consent shiki.
Kimono relaxed kinagashi
Kinagashi as men wearing everyday clothes, or when out of the house on unofficial occasions. Actor kabuki wear it when practicing. This type of kimono is not decorated with the symbol of the family.
Kimono Jomon era and Yayoi era shaped like overalls. From the archaeological site of shell piles found Jomon era haniwa. Clothing worn for haniwa called kantoi
In Gishiwajinden (Chinese history book about the three countries) written about the simple clothes for men. A piece of cloth slung horizontally on the body of a man such as clothing monk, and a piece of cloth wrapped around his head. Kantoi called women's clothing. In the middle of a piece of cloth made a hole to insert the head. The rope is used as a fastener at the waist.
Still according to Gishiwajinden, imperial woman named Himiko of Yamataikoku (ancient name for Japan) "always dressed in white kantoi". Hemp fiber clothing is the material for the common people, while the rank wore silk.
Kofun Period
Clothing Kofun era under the influence of mainland China, and consists of two pieces of clothing: dress up and dress down. Haniwa dressed up like a coat worn over kantoi. Clothing the bottom of the skirt wrapped around the waistFrom the invention of clothing haniwa seen wide-legged pants like hakama.
In the Kofun period becoming known sewn clothing. The front of the open and made kantoi sleeves stitched bottom starting for easy use. Next, dress up consists of two types of collars:
Flat collar to just below the neck (agekubi)
The collar-shaped letter "V"(tarekubi) are reunited in the chest.
Nara Period
Aristocrat Asuka period named Prince Shotoku strata set of twelve positions in the imperial palace (a-i jūnikai). Differentiated according to court officials color of cap ornaments (kanmuri). In the book of the law Ritsuryo Taihō published official rules of fashion, fashion courtiers, and uniforms in the palace. Formal clothing worn by civil officials (bunkan) sewn on the bottom of the armpit. Military officers formal dress that is not sewn at the bottom of the armpit to the wearer freedom of movement. Clothing and accessories Nara era greatly influenced the Chinese culture into Japan. Cultural influences Tang joined the narrow-sleeved shirt popularized the so-called kosode to wear as underwear.
In the Nara era there is a change in the way of wearing a kimono. If prior to the left of the collar under collar to the right, since the Nara era, the collar of the right must be under the left collar. How to wear kimonos from Nara period maintained until now. Only people died put on a kimono with the collar left under the right collar.
Heian period
According to the aristocratic Michizane Sugawara, Japan's suspension for sending envoy Tang Dynasty (kentoshi) triggers the growth of the local culture. The procedure and standardizing protocols to dress for formal ceremonies began officially established. These decrees resulted in increasingly complex Heian dressing. Heian women dressed in layers, called jūnihitoe. Not only Heian women, formal clothes for the military also are impractical.
There are three types of clothing for male officers in the Heian period:
Sokutai (clothing formal ceremony of suit)
I-a (clothing for the official duties of everyday little lighter than sokutai)
Noshi (clothing for personal opportunity that looked similar to the i).
People used to wear clothes or suikan called kariginu(Meaning literally: hunting clothes). In later life, making aristocratic kariginu as everyday clothing before followed by the samurai.
In the Heian period occurred takeover of power by the samurai, and the nobles of the court away from the political world. Clothing that was once the royal palace of a status symbol used as a status symbol among the samurai.
Kamakura Period and Muromachi period
Samurai wore called suikan. This type of clothing will turn into clothing called hitatare. In the Muromachi era,hitatare a samurai attire. In the Muromachi era known kimono called Suo(Which is a type that does not use hitatare upholstery inside. Suo characteristic is the emblem of a large family of eight places.
Women's clothing is also more simple. Skirt called mo, Shorter hakama before it is replaced with. Mo and hakama suit ultimately lost before the model is replaced with a kimono canal, and then called the woman's kimono kosode. Women wearing kosode with cloth wrapped around the waist (koshimaki) and / or yumaki. Long coat called uchikake used after using kosode.
Early Edo
Samurai clothing continues until the Edo period.Edo samurai clothing is wide suit called kamishimo . One consists of kamishimo set kataginu(And hakama. Among women, kosode become increasingly popular as a cultural symbol of the city people who follow fashion trends.
Edo period was the golden age of theater kabuki. The discovery of how doubling colorful paintings called Nishiki-e, or ukiyo-e paintings encourage the increasing number of kabuki actor who wore expensive and glamorous kimono. Clothing of any city tends to be more expensive due to imitate clothing iking kabuki actor.
The tendency of people to dress better city and far from the norms of Confucianism to be limited by the Edo Shogunate. Shogunate government gradually imposed kenyaku-rei, the norms of decent simple life. Coercion failed because the desire for well-dressed people can not be dammed. Tradition of the tea ceremony is the cause of failure kenyaku-rei. Those attending the tea ceremony kimono that looks simple but it were expensive.
Kumihimo belt and tie style obi in the back began to be known since the Edo period. Until now, they survive as accessories when wearing a kimono.
End of the Edo period
Political isolation (sakoku) makes cessation import yarn silk. Start was made from kimono silk yarn production in the country. Folk clothing made from silk fabric type crape cheaper. After the famine Temmei era (1783-1788), Edo shogunate in 1785 to prohibit people from wearing a silk kimono. Clothes made of cloth of cotton or cloth hemp. Wide-sleeved kimono, which is an early form of furisode popular among women.
Meiji period and the Taisho era
Industry progresses in the Meiji period. Silk production increased, and Japan became the largest silk exporters. The price of silk is no longer expensive, and has become a popular variety of silk fabrics. Regulation of the use of silk thread declared invalid. Industry spinning silk was established in various places in Japan. In line with the rapid growth of spinning industry, silk textile industry developed part. Products of various silk fabrics, ranging from crepe, rinzu, omeshi, until meisen.
Availability of various types of processed fabrics which can lead to the development fabric dyeing techniques. In the Meiji era has become a popular technique yuzen, namely drawing with a brush to produce a fabric pattern on a kimono cloth.
Meanwhile, the upper class women are fond of silk striped and arrangement of images is very complex and delicate. They were dressed in kimono fabric of the model was popular since the Edo period as the best clothes when attending special events. Almost at the same time, woven silk colorful threads of immersion began liked.
Not long after the clothes imported from the West began to go to Japan, the tailor began to make local Western clothes. Since then also, the term used to distinguish wafuku clothes worn during the Japanese people with Western clothing. When Western clothes began to be known in Japan, among the Western clothes borrowed from Western clothing rental shop.
Modernization in the Meiji era, royal palace to replace kimono with Western clothes so as not to be considered ancient. However, the city wants to preserve the traditional beauty aesthetic traditions do not become affected. People keep trying to defend the city and the kimono is maintained tradition since the Edo period. Most of the Meiji era men still wear kimono for everyday clothes. Suit jacket as a formal dress men also gaining in popularity. Most of the Meiji era women still wearing a kimono, but a noblewoman and the teacher in charge of teaching her daughters.
Military uniforms worn by the man who followed his military service. Army uniforms army became a model for school uniforms boy. Schoolgirl uniforms also using the model stand collar around the neck and did not fall on the shoulders (stand-up collar) exactly models army uniform collar. At the end of the Taisho era, the government runs mobilization policy. Schoolgirl uniform women changed from andonbakama (kimono and hakama) into Western clothes called serafuku (sailor Fuku), which is similar clothes suit sailor blouse and skirt.
Showa Period
During the war, the government distributed uniforms for the male population. Uniforms for men called kokumin Fuku (uniform people). Women forced to wear monpei shaped trousers to work with the rubber at the ankle.
After the Japanese defeat in World War II, Japanese women began to come back wearing a kimono before finally abandoned because of the demands of modernization. Complexity compared kimono, Western clothing is considered more practical as everyday clothing.
Until the mid-1960s, the kimono is still a lot of Japanese women used as everyday clothing. At that time, the popularity of the kimono rose again after the introduction of colorful kimono from material wool. The woman was like a kimono era of wool as clothing for casual occasions.
After no longer popular kimono, kimono traders tried a variety of strategies to increase sales figures kimono. One of them by issuing "regulations kimono" so-called Yakusoku. According to these regulations, certain types of kimono, said only compatible with certain accessories. Intention to dictate to purchasers to buy as many goods. The strategy did not like the consumer, and the public interest against the kimono decline. Although the kimono traders make large-scale campaign, opinion "is complicated kimono" was formed in the middle of Japanese society.
Until the 1960s, the kimono is still worn as casual wear men in the house. Picture a man who wore a kimono at home can still be seen in many manga publications in the 1970s. Today, however, men's kimono is not worn as clothing in the house, except samue worn by the crafters.
Business kimono
Kimono fabric is the result of Japanese traditional art of weaving artistic merit. Kimono for formal occasions only fabrics made of silk and only the best grade sewn by hand (do not use a sewing machine). Therefore, the price of a kimono is often very expensive. Kimono are generally not sold in a state so, but must be ordered and sewn to fit the user's body.
When buying fabric, the user's height is not taken into account. Materials purchased in a single kimono cloth are woven with flawless. Buy kimono begins with the selection of kimono fabric called tanmono(Meaning literally: the long roll of cloth with 1 tan, or approximately 10.6 m). If the user happens to the kimono was short and slender, having finished stitched robe will be a lot of kimono material remaining. Remaining material can be used kimono to kimono complementary accessories such as bags,wallets, or sandals.
Kimono cloth can be purchased at lower prices on sales opportunities second material, called B-tan ichi(Meaning literally: cloth market class B) to distinguish it from kimono material woven class A flawless. Although purchased fabric has a little defect, which experienced a kimono tailors can hide the broken parts of weaving. After so, kimono fabric of the class B market may look similar to the kimono from perfect material.
Kimono is sewn from high quality materials is the family heritage objects. Second-hand kimono still has a high selling value, mainly because the size of a kimono can be adjusted to the size of the new owner agency. Japan can be found at stores that sell a used kimono. During World War II, a kimono once used as a means of payment when the city population to food shortages. The money used to buy rice, eggs, and herbs such as miso, and sugar.
Hakama pants man is made of dark material. A pant of this type comes from mainland China and began to be known since the Asuka period. In addition to the priest charged Shinto, hakama worn men and women in the field of traditional martial arts such as kendo or kyudo.
