What is kimono?

Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment worn typically until western culture was introduced into Japan. The term “kimono (着物)” can be broken into two characters: “ki (着),” meaning “to wear,” and mono (物), meaning “a thing.” It originally referred to clothing in general, but now the term “kimono” is used as a general term for traditional clothing.

Difference between kimono and yukata?

In fact, yukata is a specific kind of kimono. There are various types of kimono, and the following are the major examples that most people might have seen in Japan.

Kurotome sode (黒留袖)
Traditionally worn by the mother of the bride/groom at the wedding ceremony as the highest formality for married women. It often has a black base and a lavish design embroidered with gold thread.

Furi sode (振り袖)
Known as a long-sleeved kimono worn by unmarried young women, especially at the coming-of-age ceremony. Its unique characteristics are its long-sleeves, gorgeous design with colorful patterns and length reaching the ankle.

Yukata (浴衣)
The most casual style of kimono that is often worn at summer events. While the two mentioned above are feminine garments, yukata is unisex and has no age limits. It is made of cotton or linen in order to make yukata practical for everyday life.

A brief history of kimono

The first ancestor of the kimono can be found in the Heian period (794-1192). Only the people in the upper class were allowed to wear layered and luxuriously designed kimono, especially “Juni-hitoe (十二単),” meaning the twelve-layered robe. It is one of the most famous kimono in its history. The peasants wore kosode instead, literally meaning “small-sleeve,” which later became a unisex outer layer in the Edo period (1603-1868).

Kimono changed form to more fashionable, refined, simple and accessible garments from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) to the Edo period. While wealthy people would choose luxurious fabrics with detailed decoration to represent their identities, ordinary people wore recycled kimono because the fabrics were unaffordable for most of them.

Finally, in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the Japanese started to adjust to western standards, and kimono began to disappear as Japan became more active in trading with the West.

The reason why kimono is sustainable

Although kimono have now become a garment used in milestone events in life, the value of kimono has been rediscovered recently in terms of sustainability. Firstly, kimono can adjust to any body shape, so people don’t have to repurchase them even if they become pregnant or their weight changes. Women’s kimono usually come in just one size, so people must adjust the length and width using cords and towels. Secondly, kimono can be worn across generations due to their durability and basic design. Even now, it is very common for young Japanese to have a kimono from their mother or grandmother. Thirdly, worn-out kimono can be upcycled into things like clothing, bags and accessories.

The beauty of kimono lies in its humble and refined design that remains unchanged for hundreds of years, and in people’s behavior to cherish their belongings as long as possible.