November 21, 2008
The Kimono: a Short History
Though the kimono originally came from China, they have been worn in Japan for hundreds of years, and their great beauty is attributable to 17th and 18th century Japanese designers.
Traditionally, the cloth and color combinations indicated the wearer's social or political standing and the colors of kimonos changed with the time of year. The kimono is no longer purely a traditional robe.
Traditionally, all Japanese girls had to learn to master the art of sewing and clothes making. But sewing was less difficult than in the west. The kimono, haori and girdle, and even the long hanging sleeves, had only parallel stitches. The garments were, as a matter of fact, taken apart for cleaning, and each piece, after being slightly stiffened, was stretched on a board for drying, before being sewn back together.
There are many varieties of kimono clothing: the long-sleeved, beautiful types worn by geisha or young girls, the formal kimono stamped with the wearer's emblem and worn on ceremonial occasions; kimono for men and kimono for children. A young woman would wear a kimono with long sleeves and an Obi, a wide silk or brocade band about 12 feet long and 12 inches wide. As she grows older, her kimono designs become smaller and the colors richer and deeper while the obi is worn lower and made narrower. Also, haori, a short knee-length kimono, is frequently worn. These days, a kimono is usually only donned for special occasions and is mostly worn by women, but certain men also wear this garment. Both kimono and haori may be hung from a hardwood bar as wall art.
As an indulgence or ideal gift, kimono clothing is versatile, a welcome addition to anyone's wardrobe.
Possibly the most popular color for a kimono is red, derived from safflower. The yukata is similar to the kimono, only it is made of lightweight cotton and is more casual.
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