13th entry - Japanese Kimono

For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with Japanese culture both old and new...


From the pink cherry blossom
(sakura) in Spring and Hokkaido lavender fields in Summer, to the crimson Japanese maple leaves in Autumn and snow-frosted juniper bonsai in Winter.

From sushi (rice) and sashimi (raw food) to takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (pancake with egg, vegetables and tons of bonito flakes) to ebi tempura (deep-fried prawn or shrimp) and cha soba (green-tea infused into buckwheat noodles)


From geisha strumming their shamizen (3-string lute) or koto (Jap zither) and performing fan/umbrella dances to samurai/ninja killing each other with katana (Jap sword)/shuriken (throwing knives)


From Japanese anime to TV drama/variety shows


From trendy J-pop/rock (e.g. Ayumi Hamazaki) and Cos-play to traditional enka and Jap classical tunes and kimono


I also love the woody decor of country-side, traditional Jap houses with tatami mats and sliding doors, and best of all the hot spring baths or onzens


Among the items mentioned above, I am most fascinated with the elegant kimono, the iconic traditional clothing (wafuku) of the Japanese people.

Kimono dates back to 800AD, but as I learnt from several websites, Japanese people have gradually simplified and adapted its style and design through the years. The kimono known to have remained till today was developed during the Edo period (1600-1868) - consisting of a number of robes secured finally with a sash (obi). A typical woman's kimono consists of twelve or more separate pieces that are worn, matched and secured in prescribed ways (apparently having symbolic meanings). There are also different kimono for different important occasions or stages in a woman's life:

1) Furisode - Young girls and unmarried women wear this type of kimono, featuring long sleeves that sometimes reach the ankles and appearing in vibrant colors rich with patterns. Both traditional silk fabrics as well as polyester are popular but the latter is much more afforable.

2) Tomesode - Elderly women or those who have married, wear this kimono with shorter sleeves. Designs are more elegant, and tones more muted. Variations of tomesode are worn for different occasions: the Houmongi (訪問着), a formal attire usually for attending weddings or parties; the Kurotomesode (黒留袖), the most formal dress worn only by mothers at their childrens' weddings; and the Iromuji (色無地), a mono-chrome dress worn for tea ceremonies (Chado/Sado) and flower-arrangement classes (Ikebana).

3) Yukata - made of cotton-fabric, this form is often worn in Summer and tend to be more brightly colored and come in short sleeves. Japanese hotels sometimes offer the cheaper (thinner) versions as gifts for their guests, and they come in especially handy for visiting onsens.

4) Mofuku - an all-black kimono worn at funerals

5) Uchikake - the wedding silk kimono is an extremely long and ornate robe, usually with auspicious motifs and heavy brocade. An obi is not tied around this kimono as it is meant to be an overcoat.

6) Susohiki (or Hikizuri) - worn by geisha or by stage performers of traditional Japanese dances. This kimono is the longest of all and the skirt is supposed to trail along the floor (Susohiki literally means "trail the skirt"). A normal kimono for women is normally 1,5-1,6 m or 4,7-5,2 ft long, while a susohiki can be up to 2 m or 6,3 ft long.

For more information:
Wikipedia offers great insight into the different types of kimono and associated garments.
Japan Zone offers a nice pictorial history and other useful information about the kimono.
Japan Lifestyle and Go Japan also offer information on other aspects of Japanese culture.