AZN traditional clothes

The word kimono simply means things to wear and is pronounced kee-mo-no. The plural of kimono is simply kimono. The kimono has had a long history in Japan and the kimono has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of that period.

Today, a Japanese woman usually owns only one kimono typically a furosode kimono which is worn for the coming of age ceremony on her 19th birthday. For weddings, the complete bridal kimono and kimono apparel is usually rented. Kimono are also very rarely worn as every day clothing anymore. Occasionally, if you go to a small rural town in Japan or one of small islands like Okinawa, you will see the traditional every day kimono worn by elders.

The kimono has had a long history in Japan and the kimono has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of that period.

During the Heian period 794-1185, the custom of elaborate layers of colored kimono robes became popular with Japanese women. Jun-hitoe, twelve unlined robes were frequently worn with the sleeve edges and collars showing the shades of each kimono. Persons of the royal court sometimes wore up to sixteen kimono layers. During the Kamakura period of 1185-1133 with the rising influence of the military class and warriors, people had no patience or need for elaborate kimono. Practicality prevailed and during this period the kosode meaning small sleeve was introduced into the kimono.

In 1615, military leader Tokugawa moved the capital of Japan from Kyoto, where the emperor resided to Edo, the present day Tokyo. Confucianism was adopted and hierarchy became the guiding principle where citizens were ranked based on their class. During the Edo period, people began to define their status by their kimono clothing. During this time the greatest artistic accomplishments were made with the kimono.

After 1853, the US Navy sailed to Tokyo and the beginning of Japan's commercial industry was opened to the Western world. Although Japanese people continued to wear the kimono for another hundred years, the beginning of the end of this practice was near.

During the Meiji period of 1868-1912, women began working outside their homes and required different clothing to accommodate their work. The Japanese people developed techniques to compete with the machine woven cloth available from the West. Cloth from other parts of the world were bought to make the kimono and the clothing. During the Taisho period of 1912-1926, Tokyo suffered a devastating earthquake which leveled most of the homes. Many of the old kimono were lost at this time.

During the Showa period 1926-1989, the japanese government curtailed silk production by taxing it to support the military buildup. Kimono designs became less complex and material was conserved. After World War II, as Japan's economy gradually recovered, kimono became even more affordable and were produced in greater quantities. Europe and America fashion ideas affected the kimono designs and motifs, but their shape remained the same. Kimono and obi colors changed with the season and with the age and status of the wearer.

Source : http://www.japanesekimono.com/kimono_history.htm
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when the sun comes up, i miss the moon

Un lien en francais très interessant pour les passionnés d histoire et de culture.

Clik : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono
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when the sun comes up, i miss the moon

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when the sun comes up, i miss the moon

le sommet du raffinement en matière vestimentaire. c'est vrai qu'on ne vois plus tellement de japonaises en kimono en dehors de grandes occasions ou pour le nouvel an. c'est bien dommage.

A very good friend of mine married a Japanese woman some 8 years ago. She had moved to Vancouver when she was 9, but they got married in Japan where she wore a lovely kimono. I've been saving images as I see them...here are some contemporary kimono's, the fouth picture is a hoot...hello kitty! clapclap

Dark, your images are beautiful!

say something^^

you know this may have little to do with , but i feel that people are loosing the passion and respect for their traditions in Japan.

kimono = Japan

that is something will not never change lol!

Hello Ami,

yes sure, the fourth picture seems out of range. this girl with dazzling pink assortment remembers me Cutie Honey but il you look below the black legwarmers, you'll see wodden cloggs with red straps, which are truely japanese traditional shoes.

xkorean, I also have in mind Kimono associated with japanese tradition and quest of perfection. let's say that if there will remain both ultra traditionalists in Japan and western sophisticate clothes lovers, kimonos will never vanish.

seen on our movies here, kimonos are still strongly visible on girls and young women for great occasions, especially New year eve in Japan.

Hello Ami,

I think your comment has everything to do with this thread…and your comment about people loosing their passion and respect for their traditions in Japan may be true in many areas…Yet, I’m going to take the opposite view regarding the extravagant kimono’s seen in my earlier post (pics 4&5)…here’s why:

Dark’s post with the images of the traditional kimono shows their stunning beauty. Yet the initial post also supplies strong foundations for the allowance of change.

With the original definition for kimono being “things to wear”, and the further quote of DarK’s saying “kimono has had a long history in Japan and the kimono has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of that period” I’m thinking this opens the door to allow any number of metamorphosis to occur.

Although there is beauty in tradition, there is also the tendency for traditional values, clothes, or any style per say…to get locked into a crystal cage and be come archaic. When this happens an item or style may be loved when though of, but in reality is rarely thought of…sad when this happens.

As long as the tradition has solid foundations, and those foundations are referred back to, it is actually life giving when a custom or tradition alters to suite current ideals. Rather than being strictly a museum piece, or special traditional event, the evolution of kimono to incorporate Hello Kitty, and other flamboyant colours allows kimono to become a living tradition…which embraces and celebrates Japanese heritage and further cements Japanese identity.

As xkoreanenergy says kimono = Japan. As long as the foundation is referred to, then modern interpretation is important and refreshing. A good strong tradition should be built on strong enough foundations to allow for transitions to occur.

For me, losing respect for something more often occurs when that something is put in a box, or cemented onto a pedestal and rarely referred to.

I believe kimonos are the must of elegancy. One day I will buy a true silk one for myself.

yeah~! just send a couple of photos of you that day sakura Embarassed

wanna say kimono are sexy vestiments and coz japanese gals are sexy, then both is HUGE sexiest combination~!

I think japanese girls are cute but not sexy, but that's just my feeling.

Chinatsu Wakatsuki

wearing kimono make girls looking desirable nurse

Snooping around the internet the other day I discoverd these images of kimono dress.

This one is actually a kendo outfit, but after watching Moonlight Whispers...I couldn't pass it up. cherry

Oh yes, japanese martial arts clothes are kimonos too. I had in mind only expensive silk kimonos. Cannot do a kendo tournament with once!

on chinese zhongshan zhuang there are many dragons too

BEAU TI FUL Like a Star @ heaven

Hello,

yes sure, they are beautiful but take a short look on the prices. these are rather luxuous chinese clothes.