The Kimono – A Journey Through Time in Traditional Japanese Attire
About a decade ago, I visited Japan and fell in love.
The unique landscapes, the distinctive culture, the unfamiliar language, the aesthetics, the cleanliness—even the decorated manhole covers on the streets caught my eye.
But more than anything, I was captivated by Japanese attire. Just before launching my new collection, I delved into researching the origins of Japan’s iconic garment and what defines it.
A woman wearing a fancy kimono, the image is taken from The Kimono is much more than just a garment.
It is a symbol of Japan's rich culture—a piece of clothing with a long tradition that embodies values of beauty, aesthetics, and ceremony.
The word kimono, meaning "a thing to wear," first appeared in Japan in the 8th century. Over hundreds of years, it evolved by incorporating influences from China and Korea. Today, it stands as Japan’s traditional attire.
In the past, the term kimono referred to all types of clothing. However, over time, its meaning became more specific, coming to represent the elegant, ceremonial robe worn by men, children, and most notably, women.
The Kimono Robe Today
The kimono serves both as formal attire for ceremonies, holidays, and family gatherings and as everyday clothing. It is a long robe with a T-shaped cut, featuring a collar and wide, long sleeves. Kimono designs often include woven or dyed patterns based on specific themes. The robe wraps around the wearer’s body with the left side folded over the right and is secured by a wide belt called an obi, usually tied at the back.
Traditional kimono attire is completed with wooden sandals called geta, worn by both men and women, and special socks called tabi. These traditional Japanese ankle socks have a separation between the big toe and the rest of the toes, typically in white, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble.
Women’s Kimono
A key distinction in women’s kimono lies between the styles worn by married and unmarried women.
Unmarried Women
Unmarried women wear a furisode kimono, which translates to furi (swinging) and sode (sleeves). This is the most formal style of kimono, featuring extraordinarily long sleeves that often reach the floor (typically measuring 39–42 inches). Traditionally, the furisode is worn for formal social events such as tea ceremonies and family weddings. Due to its high cost, the furisode is often rented for special occasions.
One of its most notable uses is during the Seijin Shiki (Coming of Age Day) celebrations when a woman turns 20. Wearing a furisode symbolizes that she is legally an adult and eligible for marriage.
Married Women
Married women wear kimono with shorter sleeves compared to those worn by unmarried women. This practical difference reflects their daily responsibilities, as shorter sleeves keep their hands free for work. A respectable woman fastens her kimono with an elongated obi tied at the back, often requiring assistance to dress—a reflection of her esteemed status.
In contrast, women of lower social standing are often depicted in Japanese art with the obi tied in the front, enabling them to dress independently. This practical detail subtly indicates their lower status.
Men’s Kimono
Unlike women’s kimono, men’s kimono is much simpler in design. It typically has a single basic shape and subdued colors. Its level of formality is determined by the type and color of accessories, the fabrics used, and the presence or absence of family crests (kamon).
In contrast to women’s kimono, which features especially deep sleeves that are mostly detached from the garment's body, men’s kimono has shallower sleeves. Additionally, the fabrics used for men’s kimono differ from those of women’s. A typical men’s kimono comes in dark and muted colors such as black, deep blue, dark green, or brown, as opposed to the vibrant hues that characterize women’s kimono.
Kimono Weaving
Each kimono is crafted from a single tan, a roll of fabric specifically made to create one adult-sized kimono. A tan is handwoven using a traditional Japanese loom called hata oriki, and its dimensions are typically 36–40 cm in width and about 11.5 meters in length.
Traditional kimono is handwoven and handcrafted, often made of silk satin with intricate silk embroidery and gold accents. With advancements in the textile industry, more affordable and easier-to-maintain materials like synthetic silk, cotton, cotton satin, polyester, and other synthetic fibers have been introduced. However, for formal occasions, silk remains the ideal fabric.
Kimono Styles and Formality
Kimono styles range from highly formal to simple, lightweight designs for daily use. For women’s kimono, formality is usually determined by the pattern, fabric, and color.
Patterns play a significant role in distinguishing between casual everyday kimono and high-quality formal kimono. Repeated woven or dyed patterns are more common on casual kimono, while high-quality formal kimono often feature freeform designs painted across the entire fabric or along the garment’s edges.
Additionally, the seasonal patterns on a kimono indicate the appropriate time to wear it. For example:
- Spring: Designs featuring butterflies or sakura (cherry blossoms).
- Summer: Water-inspired patterns for the hot summer days.
- Autumn: Patterns with Japanese maple leaves in golden-brown tones.
- Winter: Motifs such as bamboo, pine trees, plum blossoms, and similar elements.
Choosing the Right Kimono Style for the Occasion
Selecting the appropriate kimono style for an event is no simple task. It requires an understanding of the garment’s symbolic meaning and the subtle social messages conveyed through its decorations. These details reflect the wearer’s age, marital status, and the formality of the event she is attending.
Kimono Construction
The kimono is composed of four main fabric strips: two pieces that cover the body and two that form the sleeves. Smaller additional strips create the narrow front panel and the collar.
Sizing Differences
Men’s kimono are available in a variety of sizes, while women’s kimono are woven in a standard size. Each women’s kimono is tailored to the wearer using folds and adjustments.
Traditionally woven kimono have sleeves that reach the wrist when the arms are fully extended downward. For men, the length of the kimono typically reaches the ankles. Women’s kimono are longer to allow for the additional fabric needed to create the fold visible beneath the obi (belt).
Functional Features
A hidden internal pocket is often sewn into the kimono’s sleeve. This discreet feature is used to store small items such as a handkerchief or a pouch, blending functionality with the garment’s refined design.
Caring for the Kimono
In the past, washing a kimono required fully disassembling it. After washing and drying, the kimono would be sewn back together. With the advent of new fabrics and modern cleaning methods, this labor-intensive process is no longer necessary.
Similar to other traditional Japanese garments, there are specific folding techniques for the kimono. These methods help preserve its shape and prevent wrinkles during storage. Kimonos are often stored wrapped in paper, and it is customary to air them out at the beginning and end of each season or after each wear.
A Timeless Garment
In conclusion, the kimono is a historical piece of clothing that has existed for thousands of years. Originally influenced by traditional Chinese attire, the kimono later evolved into various forms, even reaching the West in modern adaptations.
The kimono remains relevant for both women and men, serving as a cornerstone of fashion today. While still widely worn in Japan for special occasions, the kimono has also become a popular fashion statement globally. Many designers incorporate kimono elements into their creations, and it is frequently worn at special events and by celebrities worldwide.
A dress inspired by a kimono, from Liat Brandel's summer collectionThe Kimono: A Bridge Between Past, Present, and Future
The kimono is a unique garment that has maintained its relevance for thousands of years and is destined to remain significant for generations to come.
More than just clothing, the kimono is an expression of Japanese culture, tradition, and artistry. It stands as a distinctive symbol of beauty, elegance, and ceremony, bringing a special touch to any occasion.
The subject image of the post is taken from here
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