Kimono in Japan

Japanese traditional dress are kimonos. Kimono makes women's pace look less flexible, but there is no lack of charm and elegance. People wear kimonos during various "sacrificial" periods, tea ceremony, watching Noh drama or kabuki performances, or picnicking under the blossoming cherry trees. Especially at weddings, people often wear kimonos. However, in daily life, kimonos are generally not worn, and people prefer to wear western clothes.

There are many kinds of traditional Japanese kimonos, not only for men and women, but also for unmarried and married, casual clothes and dresses. Men's kimonos have fewer styles, more monotonous colors, more dark colors, thin belts, and easy to wear. Women's kimonos are available in a variety of styles, colorful, waistband, and different kimono belts. Wearing different styles of kimonos requires a different hairstyle. Married women generally wear "sleeves" kimonos, and unmarried ladies generally wear "long-sleeved" kimonos. In addition, depending on the different purpose of visiting, playing, shopping, etc., the patterns, colors, and styles of wearing kimonos are also different.

Japanese kimono female

►“Sleeve” kimono

The "sleeves" kimono is a dress for women to attend relatives' weddings and formal ceremonies, etc. With black as the base color, "sleeves" kimono is dyed with five patterns. The hem of the front of the kimono is printed with patterns on both ends of the hem. This dress is also called "black sleeves" kimono. In addition, other colors of the fabric are printed with three or one pattern and the hem is called "color sleeve".

►"long-sleeved" kimono

Unmarried ladies usually wear long-sleeved kimonos, which are divided into "big sleeves" kimonos, "medium sleeves" kimonos and "small sleeves" kimonos according to the length of the sleeves. The most worn one is the "medium sleeves" kimonos. For example: adult ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, banquets, parties, visiting friends and other occasions. Because "medium sleeves" kimonos give people a sense of fashion. Therefore, more and more unmarried women wear this kimono.

►“Visiting” kimono

Visiting kimono is dyed on the whole. From the hem, the left front sleeve, the left shoulder to the collar, it is a picture. In recent years, this kind of kimono has become the most popular simple dress. Opening ceremonies, friends' banquets, parties, tea parties and other occasions can be worn, and there are no restrictions on age and marital status.

►Small pattern kimono

Small pattern kimono is generally used as a daily fashionable clothing, the whole is dyed with small patterns, which is very suitable for practicing wearing, dating and shopping.

►“Yukata” kimono

The “Yukata” kimono is a kind of kimono-style casual wear. The cut shape is basically the same as the kimono, but the texture and the wearing method are different from kimono. It has a light fabric and a variety of color patterns. You don’t need to wear foot bag. It is suitable for hot summer days. Usually the summer festival activities, such as the popular fireworks meeting, can be worn in “Yukata” kimono.

Japanese kimono male

The men’s kimono is officially decorated with a patterned outer placket and skirt. In addition to black color, other patterns and skirts that are dyed with patterns are only used as simple attire.

►“Plain color” kimono

This is a monochrome kimono (except black). If it is dyed with a pattern, it can be used as a dress. If there is no pattern, it will be a daily fashion dress.

►"Down" kimono

The sleeves, front and back, and the collar of the kimono are all printed in a bottom-up manner. This kind of kimono is lighter and more comfortable than “visiting” kimono.

►Japanese kimono for kids

According to the characteristics of children's physical growth, they are divided into 3 kinds of kimono: “Bathrobe” kimono, 753 kimono(Seven、five and three here refer to age).

Dress code for Japan kimono

The kimono is a dress that cannot be worn alone, and the following small items are required to complete the dress of the kimono:

Kimono、Kimono belt、Kimono shirt、Waist rope、Ida、Foot bag、Hibiscus or Sandals（Japan kimono dress shoes）

Preparation: Put on a foot bag (socks) and an inner shirt (usually white).

Dress in the following order, and be careful not to tie the strap too tightly:

• 1) Put on the kimono, put the sleeves of the inner shirt into the kimono sleeves, then adjust the back seam of the kimono to the center of the back, and then use the clip to fix the inner shirt and the collar of the kimono.
• 2) Lift the collar by hand, adjust the length of the kimono hem. The kimono should not mop on the ground.
• 3) Open the kimono and place the front collar on the waist. The width of the front is the best aligned with the edge of the kimono and the side of the body.
• 4) After determining the width, slowly open the bottom surface, then fit the bottom surface to the width, and then raise the lower part of the collar held by the right hand by 10 cm so that the hem line is inclined.
• 5) Then organize the front of the kimono and raise the lower part of the collar taken by the left hand by 5cm. Be careful not to misplace. Adjust the wrinkles that appear on the waist.
• 6) Attach the first string to the waist. The straps are tied from the front of the body to the back, and in the position of middle of the back crosses and wraps back to the front to knot.
• 7) Flatten the wrinkles around the waist. The hand is pushed in from the opening under the sleeve of the kimono to check whether the kimono is caught by the belt.
• 8) Pull the wrinkles on your chest to your armpits, grab the sleeves on the left and right sides with both hands, and gently squash your sleeves so that the shoulders look natural and smooth.
• 9) Check if the collar is neatly arranged. If there is a misplacement, extend the hand from the opening under the sleeve to adjust. The opening of the neckline should not be too big or too small.
• 10) Attach a second string on the chest, the excess must be pulled neatly, and the overlapping parts on the front are horizontal.
• 11) Straighten your waist and tie a small strap called "Ida" on your chest. Because the strap is flexible, be careful not to tighten too tightly.
• 12) Check again for wrinkles on the chest and back, and if possible, flatten the folds.
• 13) Finally, after wearing the kimono, use a large mirror to check for any errors, and then remove the clip on the collar.

As a traditional Japanese costume, kimono has become one of the characteristics of Japan. To go to Japan, experience kimono is an indispensable part of the travel list. Hokkaido's climate is cool in summer, and it has an advantage over traditional kimonos in the south area. It won't be too hot. Winter in Hokkaido is colder, you can wear leggings to keep warm and choose a location near the store.