|
|
Kimono
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. To learn about the kimono history click the
next button.
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.
