How to Wear a Wedding Kimono
A traditional Japanese wedding kimono is also known as a shiro-maku. A Japanese bride will wear a white kimono during the ceremony, and later wear a colorful kimono for the wedding reception. There are specific instructions for wrapping and layering when it comes to a wedding kimono. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- White tabi socks
- White juban
- Kimono
- Koshi-himo belt
- Date-jime belt
- Obi sash
Instructions
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1
Put on a pair of white tabi socks. Tabi socks are a special type of Japanese socks that come up to the ankles. The toe of the sock separates the big toe from the rest of the toes.
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2
Put on a white cotton shirt and skirt. This is also known as a juban. This type of undergarment is made of lightweight material. The skirt is long, and the top has a high collar.
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3
Slip on the kimono like a coat.
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4
Wrap the right side of the kimono over your body.
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5
Wrap the left side of the kimono over the right side of the kimono. Hold it in place with your hands.
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6
Lift up the lower part of kimono so the bottom of the kimono hits your ankles. Gather the excess material at your waist.
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7
Tie the koshi-himo belt so it rests below the excess material. Wrap the belt around the front of the body, cross it at the back and bring it back to the front to be tied. It is a thin belt that comes in a variety of materials.
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8
Straighten out the excess material and pull it down so it covers the koshi-himo belt.
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9
Wrap a date-jime belt around your back, and tie it in front in a knot. It should cover the koshi-himo belt, and the excess material should be visible beneath the date-jime belt. A date-jime belt is wider than the koshi-himo belt.
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10
Put on the obi sash next. It is traditionally 4 m long and 60 cm in width. Fold the belt in half so it is 30 cm wide. Wrap it around the waist twice and tie it in the back into a butterfly bow. You can also buy an obi sash with the bow already tied.
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11
Adjust the white shirt underneath your kimono so the collar is visible.
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Tips & Warnings
It is recommended that someone help a bride into her wedding kimono, since some of the belts must be tied in the back.
References
- Photo Credit kimono image by Francis Lempérière from Fotolia.com
