Even though the kimono is originally of Chinese origin, they are nowadays more commonly associated with Japan, and the most beautiful kimonos were produced in 17th and 18th century Japan.
Traditionally, the cloth and color combinations indicated the wearer’s social or political standing and the colors of kimonos changed with the time of year. These days, the kimono is no longer purely a traditional garment.
Traditionally, all Japanese girls learned to master the art of sewing and clothes making. But sewing was easier than in the west. The girdle, haori and kimono, and even the long-hanging sleeves, had only parallel seams. The clothes were, actually, taken apart for cleaning, and each piece, after being mildly starched, was stretched on a board for drying, before being stitched back together again.
There are many kinds of silk kimono: the long-sleeved, beautiful kinds worn by geisha or young girls, the formal kimono stamped with the wearer’s emblem and worn on ceremonial occasions; men’s kimonos and kimono for children. A young woman wears a kimono with long sleeves and an Obi, a broad brocade or silk sash about 12 feet long and twelve inches wide. As she gets older, her kimonos become smaller and the colors richer and deeper while the obi is worn lower and made narrower. In addition, haori, a short knee-length kimono, is frequently worn too. These days, a kimono is usually only donned on special occasions and is primarily worn by women, but certain men also wear this garment. Both haori and kimono can be hung on a hardwood bar as wall art.
As an indulgent treat or ideal gift, kimono clothing is extremely versatile, and makes a welcome addition to anyone’s wardrobe.
Perhaps the most popular color for a kimono is red, derived from safflower. The yukata has much in common with the kimono, except it is made of light-weight cotton and is more casual.
