About Kimonos
For hundreds of years the arresting beauty of the kimono has captured people's imaginations. While the word "kimono" originally meant clothing, it now refers to the elegant, t-shaped garment. From the exquisite trousseau of a bride to the graceful allure of the geisha, kimono are a constant source of fascination and wonder. Passed from mother to daughter, the art of choosing and wearing a kimono is as age-old a tradition as the garment itself.
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History
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During the Heian period from 794 to 1192 AD, a sewing method was developed using a single bolt of cloth that, when sewn, could fit any body shape. First, material was cut into several adjoining panels and then stitched together in straight lines. Daily use of the kimono began to steadily decline after World War II. The expense and maintenance required, along with a rise in popularity of Western clothing, were all contributing factors. Today, kimono are generally reserved for special occasions, although in the last decade Japan has seen an increasing number of young trendsetters regularly sporting kimono.
Function
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The occasion and amount of formality required dictates the type of kimono to be worn. Fine silks are reserved for weddings and other formal parties; cottons are worn for summertime events such as a fireworks display. Subtle messages are conveyed by the type of kimono worn: marital status, age, gender and social standing. The pattern on the kimono correlates to seasons in Japan, thus determining the time of year it is worn. For example, a water lily or koi pattern would be worn in summer, while a bamboo pattern in winter months.
Types
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A young woman wearing a furisode kimono
Kimono come in a vast range of styles and patterns. Splendid silk furisode in bright colors are worn by unmarried women, while married women wear a black embroidered kurotomesode. A man's formal kimono is made of fine silk in darker, neutral shades of brown, blue, black and green, with little or no embellishment. Colorful cotton yukata are worn by both men and women during summers.
Features
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Diagram of the parts of the kimono
The number of accessories accompanying the kimono depends on the wearer's gender and the occasion. White cotton socks with a split toe, called tabi, are worn first; then plain undergarments secured with a simple belt. Next, the kimono is wrapped from left to right (when dressing the deceased for a funeral this direction is reversed) and fastened with an obi. The obi is a wide sash tied at the back. A man's obi is simple, whereas a woman's obi can come in every material, texture and pattern imaginable. Zari are the traditional footwear worn with kimono outside.
Considerations
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Special attention should be paid to the amount of care the kimono will require. To prevent damage and crushing of the fabric, a kimono is folded along the seams and stored in a cloth garment bag. Always air the kimono prior to, and following, wear. Never expose to rain or direct sunlight.
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Related Searches
Resources
- Photo Credit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ViewsAndCostumesOfJapan.jpg,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kimono2.jpg,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kimono_parts.png
