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Intermediate Japanese - Free Online Course
KIMONO
着物
kimono
At the most general level, the Japanese word kimono means simply “clothing.” At another level, the word distinguishes between traditional Japanese clothing (wafuku / 和服) and Western-style clothing (yōfuku/ 洋服). More specifically, kimono refers to the distinctive robe-like Japanese garment worn by men and women.
The kimono’s role today is strictly ceremonial; Japanese wear them only to weddings, funerals, and similar events. The garments also appear at certain festivals. But no one wears them on a daily basis.
Just donning the kimono itself is a major undertaking. Rather than being cut to fit the size of the wearer, the kimono is adjusted after it is put on. The kimono is worn with a special undergarment called a naga-juban / 長襦袢, and special sashes to secure it. The outermost sash is called an obi / 帯.
Many Kinds of Kimonos
Women’s kimonos are typically dyed with bright colors. There is considerable variation in the sleeve length, design, and colors used for kimonos worn by married women, versus kimonos worn by girls and unmarried women.
A kimono is also the centerpiece of the most formal attire for men. The entire outfit will consist of dark-colored kimono, a short haori / 羽織coat, and a long, skirt-like garment called a hakama / 袴.
Informal wafuku also includes the yukata / 浴衣 a light cotton kimono that can be easily put on and shed, and the tanzen / 丹前, a padded kimono worn in cold weather. There are also two outer garments—the hanten / 半纏and the happi / 法被—which function like jackets.