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KCP students in formal kimonos

The Japanese Kimono

KCP students posing in kimonos.The kimono (着物, gofuku) is a traditional garment worn in Japan by both adults and children. Ki means “wear” and mono means “thing.” A kimono is a T-shaped full dress robe that reaches all the way to the ankles, with long, wide sleeves and an attached collar.

KCP Japanese tea ceremony | KCP at Flickr

It is wrapped around the body, the left side over the right, unless dressing for a burial when it is the other way around. A sash (obi) is tied at the back to hold the kimono in place.  Traditional shoes or footwear worn with a kimono are zōri (flat thonged sandals), geta (sandals with an elevated wooden base), or a tabi (socks with split toes.)

In today’s society, women often wear kimonos on special occasions such as weddings and tea ceremonies. Sumo wrestlers also wear this traditional Japanese garb when they appear in public. A summer kimono called a yukata is more casual and not as restrictive. It is worn usually during the Obon festival and other summer events.

History

KCP students in formal kimonosThe kimono was influenced by the clothing of the Han Chinese, known as hanfu, as early as the 5th Century CE. Over the years, the kimono has evolved into what it looks like today.

KCP students in formal kimonos | KCP at Fickr

The need to wear kimonos began to decline during the reign of Emperor Meiji, when an edict was given for railroad workers, teachers, and policemen to wear Western clothes. Soon after, Western clothing became a uniform for schoolboys and for the Japanese army. Its restrictive style was another reason for people’s loss of interest in it as everyday wear.

Japanese silk fabric

Japanese silk fabric.

Fabric

It takes outstanding skills to create a kimono. A whole bolt of fabric (tan) is used to make only one kimono. The standard dimensions of tan are 12½ yards long and 14 in. wide. When completed, a kimono is made up of four main strips of fabric: two panels form the sleeves, and another two cover the body. Smaller strips make up the collar and the front panels. The customary materials used for kimonos are silk (preferred) and satin,  decorated by hand with woven or dyed patterns.

Styles

Kimonos come in a range of styles, motifs, and colors. Formal kimonos also have a family crest. Single young ladies wear kimonos of bright and elaborate design, while those worn by men are less colorful.

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Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!