How to Fold a Kimono

The Japanese kimono is an expensive article of clothing. Take special care to make it last a long time so you can pass it on to future generations.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kimonos
• Cedar Chests
• Rice Papers

1. Lay the garment flat on a bed or a clean rug, with the arms outstretched and the front facing up.

2. Fold the left side of the shoulder section (which will be to your right, since you are facing the kimono) out to the right. Lift the seams with the motion, so that the entire shoulder panel is directed this way.

3. Repeat the same step with the right shoulder, turning it out to the left along with the whole panel. Both the right and left sides should now be facing out like wings.

4. Fold the entire kimono in half, going lengthwise, so the width will be decreased.

5. Accomplish this by lifting the left side up and over onto the right.

6. Do the same thing with the sleeves, placing the left sleeve over on top of the right one.

7. Fold the bottom third of the kimono up so it rests on the rest of the garment.

8. Fold the left sleeve inward onto the kimono, leaving the right one alone.

9. Lift the second third of the length up and fold it toward the top, so it rests on the fabric above it.

10. Turn in the remaining sleeve on top of the kimono body. If you have done this correctly, you should be left with a rectangular shape.

11. Wrap the folded kimono in rice paper to protect the fine fabric.

12. Store with great care in a cedar chest or bureau.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a cool, shaded place to store the kimono.
• Be sure to place the delicate kimono in a chest or bureau, away from sunlight and heating vents.
• Dry heat can damage the delicate fabric, so be very careful with this expensive garment.

on 8/8/2006 Newsprint is full of acidic wood pulp and is probably the worst material I can think of for protecting a kimono. Valuable textiles should only come in contact with archival, non-acidic materials.

on 12/23/2005 While folding a kimono is sometimes inevitable, the best way to store them is to purchase a dowel rod or a length of bamboo that is roughly four inches longer than the span of sleeve-tip to sleeve-tip on the kimono. Tye thin rope or hemp cord at the center of the rod, roughly four inches apart. Hang the kimono on the rod, taking care that the seam on the shoulders and fold of the sleeves run in a straight line along the rod. Then, simply hang in a dark, dry area. You can also cover the kimono in a homemade garment bag made of either thin butcher's paper, or from rolls of unused newsprint paper. Do not use newspapers! The ink will rub off onto the kimono, and it will cause a permanent stain!

Allowing your kimono fresh air every few months is also a good idea, since silks can easily rot and break away in the wrong conditions.