How to Fold a Kimono

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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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.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Kimonos
Cedar Chests
Rice Papers

Step1

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

Step2

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.

Step3

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.

Step4

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

Step5

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

Step6

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

Step7

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

Step8

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

Step9

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

Step10

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.

Step11

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

Step12

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.

Comments

Anonymous said

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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.

Anonymous said

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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.

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