Kimono: What is a Kimono?

First i have to say, i just love Women in Kimono!

There is a special Atmosphere about them, something akin to a

traditional, elegant Beauty.

But what is a Kimono?

The Word Kimono comes from the japanese words for

Kiru = to wear and

Mono = something,

So basically all kinds of Cloth have been Kimono.

But what we know and recognize as a Kimono now days, first came to be about 1200 years ago,

and has since established itself as the only type of Cloth to be called so in Japan.

There are many categories of Kimono,

for Men and Women,

depending on Season and also

depending on which Event you participate.

There are some only for Wedding, Funeral, Coming of Age, for Summer, Spring, Autumn and Winter.

One thing all Kimono have in common is the Obi, or you could say Belt, that binds these together. And a real Kimono is always worn by folding the left side over the right.

(Except you are dead, then it's the other way around.)

How to recognize a real Kimono?

Like i said, it is always worn left side folded over the right. This is to be able to store Purse and access the inside of the Kimono with ease with your right Hand.

All Seam Lines are always straight and meet in a 90 degree angle. Only exception here would be the Collar.

There are no Buttons or any kind or ornamental seam.

The Kimono itself is a very simple constructed piece of clothing.

A Kimono for Women consists of usually 12 or more different Pieces, while the Version for Men has usually only 5.

Beautiful and elegant and made all from one Piece of Fabric 37 to 40 cm in width and about 1200 cm in length, that's the Kimono for Women. There will be no left over Fabric, everything is used and from the start there will be a little bit more Fabric than needed, worked into the Hem. Like this, even if the sudden need for a bigger Kimono arises, it will be easily adjustable.

As Men we need less Pieces, so Fabric of only 1000 cm length will be enough.

If you visit Japan and get the Chance to wear a Kimono, even just to take some Pictures, I highly recommend it. It's like they say, the Cloth do make the People and it is a very Special Feeling wearing a Kimono for the first Time.

Please ask in a local Kimono Shop or Beauty Salon to help with the Fitting of the Kimono, it is as Beautiful as it is Complicated to wear these. Even most Japanese hire Professional Help for the occasion.

If you Click HERE, this is a very nice Shop with Rental of Kimonos and Yukata, who also will help you fitting. They have Shops in several Locations in Japan and are very Foreigner friendly.

#Kimono #Japan #Japanese