The Silk Kimono: a Short History April 20, 2009
Although the kimono is originally of Chinese origin, they have been worn in Japan for hundreds of years, and the most beautiful kimonos were designed in 17th and 18th century Japan.
The combinations of color and cloth traditionally indicated the wearer’s political and social status and the colors of kimonos changed with the time of year. The kimono is no longer purely a traditional robe.
Traditionally, all girls in Japan had to learn to make their own clothes and sew. But sewing was less difficult than in the west. The kimono, haori and girdle, and even the long-hanging sleeves, used only parallel seams. The garments were, actually, taken apart for cleaning, and each piece, after being mildly starched, was stretched out on a board for drying, before being sewn back together.
There are many different kinds of kimono clothing: the long-sleeved, gorgeous kinds worn by young girls or geisha, the formal kimono stamped with the wearer’s emblem and worn on formal occasions; men’s kimonos and kimono for children. A young woman wears a kimono with long sleeves and an Obi, a wide silk or brocade band about 12 feet long and 12 inches wide. As the girl grows older, her kimono designs become smaller and the colors richer and deeper while the obi is made narrower and worn deeper. In addition, haori, a short knee-length kimono, is frequently worn. These days, a kimono is usually only worn for special occasions and is primarily worn by women, but certain men still wear this garment. Both kimono and haori can be hung on a hard wood bar as wall art.
As an indulgence or ideal gift, kimono clothing is extremely versatile, a welcome addition to any wardrobe.
Possibly the most popular color for a kimono is red, derived from safflower. The yukata has much in common with the kimono, except it is made of light-weight cotton and is more casual.