There is such a wide variety of traditional clothing uniquely rooted in each country or region, and Japan is no exception. Among all the traditional Japanese clothing, the “Kimono 着物” is the most iconic and popular around the world, without a doubt. Although it is no longer worn on a daily basis, the kimono is regarded as Japan’s national piece of clothing and is worn for special ceremonies or events including weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies. In this article, we will introduce you to the deep world of traditional Japanese clothing!
Contents
Kimono 着物
Origin of Kimono
The history of the kimono can be traced back to the Yayoi Period, which lasted from the 3rd/4th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. The origin of the kimono is believed to be what is called “kosode 小袖”, referring to a kimono with small cuffs worn widely by local residents. During the Heian Period (794-1192), the ruling class started to wear “Junihitoe 十二単”, which consisted of several types of large-sleeved kimono to symbolize the hierarchy. The word “kimono 着物” first appeared in the Kamakura and Muromachi Periods, when embroidered kosode became popular and were named “kimono” to distinguish them from the original type. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), kimono styles depended more on status, and various patterns of kimono and obi (belt) were developed among common people to enjoy as fashion. In the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the country fully opened its gates to Western culture, people became free of the long-standing hierarchy and Western clothes gained popularity at the expense of the kimono.
Materials and Patterns of Kimono
Kimonos are made from a variety of materials. While natural fibers such as silk, cotton and linen were traditionally used, synthetic fibers such as polyester, which are easy to care for and relatively inexpensive, are more recently used for casual kimonos. Kimono patterns are imbued with various meanings and stories. Typical ones include traditional Japanese icons like a combination of pine trees, bamboo and plum, with cranes and temari balls. Plants and creatures, for example, sakura (cherry blossoms), butterflies and chrysanthemum are also popular patterns to symbolize the four seasons which Japanese people have long cherished. Beautiful colors and designs are applied with handcrafted techniques including embroidery, painting, and dyeing. Most women’s kimonos are colorful and gorgeously designed, and men’s kimonos are simpler and colored in a more subdued way.
Price of Kimonos
The prices of kimonos vary widely depending on the design, material, and whether it’s ready-made or tailor-made ranging from 50,000-5,000,000 yen. As many people only wear them for a few special occasions in their lifetime, there are a number of rental shops offering a collection of both male and female kimonos for around 3,000-10,000 yen for a day.
Furisode 振袖
If you are staying in Japan around the end of the year through the middle of January, you’ll most likely see clusters of young ladies dressed in colorful kimonos with longer sleeves, called a furisode, at shrines and coming of age ceremonies. The furisode is a formal type of kimono which only unmarried women are allowed to wear. Modern furisodes come in different lengths and designs to align with young pop culture, but the prices are generally higher than normal kimonos and most people just rent one on their special event day.
Yukata 浴衣
A yukata is a casual, summer kimono usually made of cotton or polyester. They used to be worn as gowns and pajamas, but now you can mainly find local people wearing them at summer festivals or historical sightseeing spots like Asakusa, Kamakura or Kyoto. Japanese-style hotels (Ryokan 旅館) usually prepare yukatas in each room, and the guests enjoy their stay dressed in comfortable yukatas within the facility or even outside when strolling the nearby streets. Some clothing shops recently sell yukatas for 3,000-10,000 yen, while luxury tailor-made yukatas cost as much as 100,000 yen.
Haori 羽織
A haori is a formal coat or jacket worn over a kimono. Delicately handcrafted, the haori is said to have come from the “jinbaori” (a haori worn over armor on the battlefield), from which the name “haori” is derived. Today, a black haori is worn by grooms as a wedding garment whereas gorgeously designed haoris are worn by women to just enjoy as fashion.
Hakama 袴
A hakama covers the lower part of the body below the waist just like trousers. Tied with a string to kimonos, hakamas today are worn by both men and women for specific events such as local festivals, official events and ceremonies including weddings, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and graduation ceremonies. Players of traditional Japanese sports and martial arts including Kendo 剣道 and Kyudo 弓道 (Japanese archery) also wear hakamas as their official uniform.
Happi 法被
A happi is a type of waist- or knee-length kimono without an obi (belt) or a string. It was a uniform worn by craftsmen in the Edo period, but now people wear it as a traditional costume at festivals and other local events. Many happis are seen at festivals and have a character on their back which says “Matsuri 祭”, which literally means festival.
Jinbei/Samue 甚平/作務衣
A jinbei is a short kimono generally worn indoors by men and children during the summer. Its length is quite short, and it comes with short pants. The sleeves are without embellishments, and cotton or linen is used as the material, which makes jinbeis quite comfortable and relaxing clothes. A samue, on the other hand, has almost the same structure and design but is work wear worn by Buddhist monks for duties and chores.
Obi 帯
An obi is a long, thin piece of cloth that is tied around the waist when dressed in a kimono (like a belt). It also functioned as a tool for carrying or supporting things like some Japanese swords and small pouches called “Inro 印籠” by either inserting them or attaching them to it. Obis were rather plain and thin until the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867), but modern obis come in various colors and are gorgeously designed just like kimonos.
Geta下駄
Geta are traditional Japanese footwear usually worn with a kimono or yukata. They vaguely look like sandals, and getas generally consist of a wooden board on which a fabric strap named a “hanao 鼻緒” is attached to go between the big toe and the index toe of your feet, and two platforms like heels which are named “teeth 歯” are placed under the board. Originally worn as work wear for farmers and craftsmen, modern getas come with different features and designs, mostly to enjoy as fashion.
Zori 草履
Zori are also traditional sandals for Japanese people. Unlike getas, zoris have no teeth (heels), and the base is made of straw, rushes, bamboo skin, cork, or more recently vinyl or rubber. For formal kimonos such as a furisode, zoris made of leather with thicker soles are worn, while those made of rushes or straw are used for more casual wear.
Tabi 足袋
Tabi are traditional Japanese socks worn when dressed in a kimono or other Japanese clothes. They are generally made of cotton and have a smooth touch. The split toes are designed to go with getas or zoris, which are worn by pinching a hanao (strap) between the big toe and index toe of your feet. Tabis have several fasteners called “kohaze こはぜ” , which wrap tightly around the ankle. White tabi named “shirotabi 白足袋” are the most common and versatile for any occasion, but more recently there are a variety of colors and designs available.
Kanzashi 簪
A kanzashi is a traditional Japanese hair ornament, which is usually worn with a kimono. As it is a rule that one’s hair shouldn’t touch the collar of the kimono, a gorgeously designed hairpin is used to make and decorate a bun. Some major kanzashi types include “Tamakanzashi 玉簪”, which attaches a flat ornament at the edge of a stick, and “Yuremonokanzashi 揺れもの簪”, whose tip is decorated with a swinging ornament.
Summary
We have introduced traditional Japanese clothing and accessories which Japanese people still wear at local festivals or on special occasions. You can also find many of the items online, or at clothing shops or souvenir shops in Japan. Try wearing some and enjoy a taste of Japanese culture during your stay in the country!
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