The Modern Kimono

    The modern Japanese kimono is usually only worn for ceremonial occasions, as well as for photographs and such.

Men's Kimono

    Men normally wear fairly conservative kimonos in shades of blue, brown, gray, or white.  The obi is narrow compared to a woman's obi, and tied in a simple knot.  For martial arts such as kendo, aikido, and archery, as well as for formal occasions, wide pleated pants called hakama are worn over the kimono.  In martial arts, the seven pleats of the hakama are said to represent the seven virtues of bushido, the samurai code of honor. On extremely formal occasions, such as on a man's wedding, he might wear a haori jacket, along with the hakama.  The haori jacket was closed with a braided cord tied in a decorative, intricate knot.  In summertime, men might wear a yukata, or light-weight cotton kimono, to festivals or temples, along with wooden geta sandals.

     Haori and hakama              Kimono showing the obi
                                              tied in the back

Woman's Kimono

    The kimono worn by women is typically very elaborate, both in style and in design.  It is possible to know the wearer's age, social and marital status, and the season merely by looking at the fabric, color, sleeve length, and the details of the obi and how it is tied.  The furisode (fuh-ree-soh-deh) is a colorful kimono made of chirimen and decorated with yuuzen, with long, flowing sleeves that hang down almost to the ankles, and is worn by young, single women to formal and ceremonial occasions such as weddings.  The woman's obi is intricate and complex, as wide as one foot and as long as thirteen feet.  It can be tied in both simple and elaborate ways, and the more elaborate can take up to thirty minutes to tie.  Kimonos are worn by brides, and are usually pure white.  At the reception, a brighter-colored over-kimono is worn, usually red or orange.  In summertime, a yukata might be worn to festivals, and some people like to wear them around the house.  The yukata is a light-weight, cotton kimono.  They are usually navy-blue and white, though younger women and girls wear brightly colored floral patterns at times- it depends on the wearer's preference.

A furisode                            A yukata 

Child's Kimono

    Children wear kimonos fashioned after those of adults, but always in bright colors, patterns, and prints.  They are worn to festivals and shrines.

For more information:

JP Net Kimono Hypertext