By Amy Callear

History of KimonosTypes of Kimonos How to make a Kimono Sources Done?

The Kimono originated in the Heian period ( ). They were popular because the makers of kimonos didn’t have to think about the shape of the wearer’s body, and they were suitable for all types of weather. In winter, they were worn in layers, and in summer, a kimono made of a breathable fabric, such as linen, was worn. The colors in a kimono started to become important. Color combinations usually represented the seasons or the political class the wearer belonged to. The kimono assumed its present form during the Edo period ( ) Then, during the Meiji period ( ), Japan was influenced by other cultures. Japanese people started to wear kimonos only on formal occasions. Today, kimonos are saved for situations such as weddings, funerals, tea ceremonies, and summer festivals. Back

WomenFormalWinter Summer ChildrenFootwearCoats Men Back

Young Women: A young woman wears a kimono with long sleeves, and an obi.An obi is a 12 feet long, 12-inch wide sash made of silk or brocade. It is worn slightly above the ribs, and tied at the back by a fastening made with at most 15 different girdles of brocade, silk, or another material that is worn around the middle of the obi.They also wear a silk kimono that functions as a slip, called a Nagajuban. A cotton slip is also worn under the kimono. It is called Momen-no-juban. Also, a knee-length kimono called Haori is often worn. As a young woman gets older, her obi becomes narrower and is worn lower on the waist, and the designs on her kimono become smaller, but the colors become deeper. Pictures

Woman’s Haori Woman’s Kimono Back

Formal Wear: Formal wear consists of Haori and Hakama. Hakama is a skirt-trouser garment worn over the kimono, similar to a tuxedo. However, nowadays the Hakama is usually worn by artists, actors, and family patriarchs. Now, formalwear for men is a morning coat and striped pants. Back Hakama

Winter: Called Tanzen or Dotera, the thickly padded over-kimono is worn in winter, for lounging at home. Dotera Back

Summer: The yukata is an informal, unlined kimono made of cotton, with a small sash. It is usually worn to the bath. Yukata Back

Children’s Kimonos: Otherwise normal, children’s kimonos have tucks along the shoulders and around the waist. These tucks are let out to help adjust the kimono to a growing child. Children’s Kimono Back

Footwear: With a kimono, socks called Tabi, which have one socket for the big toe, are worn. Men wear black and occasionally white tabi, and women wear white tabi. Zori, a sandal with a v-shaped thong that comes between the big toe and the second toe, is also worn with a kimono. The sole can be thin or thick. Also, Geta shoes are worn with kimonos. Geta Zori & Tabi Back

Coats: Japanese workmen wear a short coat called a Happi. Examples of Happi: Back

Men’s Kimono: Men's kimono can have simple or intricate patterns. Popular kimono patterns include dragons and koi, a type of fish. The kimono background color is usually duller colors such as blue, black, gray or brown. The sleeves for men's kimono are are completely sewn closed under the arm, whereas women’s kimonos have the sleeve open underarm. Today, men only wear kimono for festivals, ceremonies, and other special occasions. Pictures

Man’s Kimono Men’s Haori (Yes, that is a woman in the picture.) Back

A piece of fabric meters long and centimeters wide is cut into eight pieces. These eight pieces are sewn back together, so that all of the fabric is used. This also makes it easy to replace damaged, old, faded, or otherwise defective sections of the kimono. The kimono becomes colored in one of two ways: The fabric can be made of colored thread. This method is called tsumugi, and it makes the kimono strong and glossy. The advantage of this technique is that the color goes through to the other side, so the kimono is reversible. Or, the already-woven fabric is dyed. This technique is called iromuji, and it makes the kimono vividly colored. The advantage of dying the fabric is that if the color fades, the fabric can just be re-dyed. Pictures

Dyed Fabric Colored-Thread Fabric Sections of a Kimono Next

The obi can be tied in many different ways. One popular way is the taiko-musubi, or Drum Bow. During the Meiji period, the obi was worn with accessories.The obi-age, or bustle sash, held in place the pad that was used to shape the tied bow. The obi-jime helped hold the obi in place. Also, the han'eri, a lining for the collar of the inner kimono, is an essential item. Pictures

Drum Bow Obi-jime Obis Back

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