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Dating back to the Heian period (794-1192), a garment that took centuries to get to the form that we know today. The kimono, “thing to wear”, from the verb ki (着), “to wear (on the shoulders)” and the noun mono (物), “thing”, in fact, is a canvas of Japanese art, craft, and design.
There are many types of kimono depending on the wearer’s age, gender, occasion, status, decoration, style of wear, and accessories also denote these.
Furisode (振袖) is the most formal type of Kimono, which can be divided into 3 different types depending on how long the sleeves are. Short sleeves called the Kofurisode (小振袖), then the Chu-furisode (中振袖) with medium sleeves and last is the Ofurisode(大振袖), the most common type where the sleeves nearly reach the ground.
If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, you can still see many geisha, maiko, and older generations wear another type called Hikizuri (引きずり) – “the trailing skirt” more often. Hikizuri in the Meiji era was once worn by women in high society, gaining its name by its length.
Modern Japanese Kimono
In modern days, the kimono is often seen at formal events such as go to weddings, like the Tomesode (留袖) which patterns are always below the waist with beautiful design and 3 to 5 crests. If it is your wedding, there will be another specific kimono for you.
There is also types of less formal kimono called Houmongi (訪問着), which means “visiting wear”, with patterns down from the shoulder or the Iro Muji (色無地) that was only plain color, some specific Iro Muji uses for tea ceremony.
When you come to Japan, be sure to try on a Kimono, casual wear, called Komon (小紋), with many different simple designs, to strolling the town, or to small events. During summer festivals, lighter wear called yukata (浴衣) is more of a choice. Men can also wear kimono, usually with a hakama (pants), a hoari (kimono jacket), with a common man kimono, kinagashi.
Over time it has become less common but a symbol of Japanese tradition. Visit more with us at Homii Japan
Photo by Satoshi Hirayama, Nicolas Postiglioni from Pexels.