"Kimono"
is the traditional clothing of Japan. Its meaning is “things to
wear” . There are many types of kimono worn by both men and women.
The following list is considered Kimono.
Furisode:
Kimono with long sleeves having colorful and bright designs. Generally,
it is the most formal Kimono for unmarried women. Furisode made
of chirimen always worn on formal and ceremonial occasion such as
wedding.
Kurotomesode:
It has black background and colorful designs on the bottom. It is
the most formal Kimono for married women.
Irotomesode:
Kimono with colorful design on the bottom like Kurotomesode but
its background is not black. This is the second most formal Kimono
for married women.
Houmongi:
Kimono with colorful designs on the back and the sleeves
worn by married and unmarried women. It can be both formal and semi-casual.
Yukata:
Japanese summer light-weight cotton Kimono worn by both men
and women. It is used to attend festivals and also traditionally
used as lounge robe, bath robe and sleeping suit. Most yukatas aree
navy blue and white, but girls and young women sometimes wear brightly
colored floral-patterned Yukatas.
Mofuku:
This Kimono is for funeral.
Haori:
It is a short Kimono like a jacket.
Michiyuki:
It is worn over Kimono as a coat.
Hakama:
It is like plant.
Kimono
is more than clothing.
Cutting style, color, fabric used and decorations let us know about
sex, age, marital status of wearer and season of the year, and also
the occasion. For example, young unmarried women wear kimono with
long sleeves that are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns
called “Furisode”.
Contrastingly, married or older women would wear simpler more subdued
clothes called “Tomesode”.
The
basic cut of the kimono differs little between the sexes. Men's
kimono sleeves are square cut, while adult women's are slightly
rounded. Single women's sleeves are more rounded, and children's
sleeves are the most rounded.
According
to color, patterns and designs of Kimono, even if this is your first
time in Japan, you can guess what season is. Bright colors and spring
floral patterned japanese clothing is worn in the spring while in
autumn, japanese clothes with fall colors and fall patterns are
worn. In the winter, especially near the holidays, japanese clothing
with patterns and designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum
blossoms are worn. These designs signify good luck and prosperity.
The fabric of the japanese clothing also plays a role in the seasons.
In the summer, cotton clothes are worn whereas in the fall and winter,
heavier or lined clothing is worn.
The
formal kimono and obi belts were traditionally made of silk, silk
brocade, silk crepes. Due to production costs, limited availability
of skilled weavers and craftsman and the consumers economics and
easy care demand, the kimono industry is striving to capture the
demands by producing kimono of easy care casual type fabric. Today,
most formal kimono are made of rayon, cotton, polyester and other
synthetic fibers except for the traditonal wedding kimono. New Kimono
is westernized Kimono. It is easy to wear and take care of. You
do not have to know anything complicated to wear it. There are some
words used in Japan to indicate the differences of japanese clothing
such as the word “Wafuku” is
often used to describe “Traditinal Kimomo”,
and “Yufuku” for "western
clothes".
To
wear a kimono, wrap the right side of the kimono over the body,
then overlap it with the left side, do not forget that right on
top of the left is only used to dress a corpse for burial.
We
can find that there are some traditonal and cultural changes in
many countries. What does it mean? Some group of people do not agree
with these changes and try to protect the old ones. But looking
in the bright side, all
changes that happened, happen and will happen in the future can
be good evidence showing that the culture or traditon are still
alive because only dead thing that is no longer changed.
Solange
Sources :
www.bridal.ouchi.co.jp
www.az-az.com
http://kimono.fraise.net
www.asahi-jc.com
www.shop-japan.co.jp
www.yamaoka-k.co.jp
www.kimono-taizen.com
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