Tokyo trend tradition

TOKYOTRENDTRADITION 2012/07/17
Types of Kimono
There are many types of Kimonos. These days, people only wear formal Kimonos to formal events.
However, when Kimonos were first made, they were worn as everyday clothing. The colors and
designs are an important factor when choosing a Kimono. Those Kimonos are separated into
many types. “Houmongi” is the informal dress for woman. It means “clothes for visiting”, so this
Kimono is worn usually when visiting someone’s house.
“Tukesage” is the informal dress for woman.
“Komon” is the normal dress for woman. The designs are spread all over.
“Iromuji” is the kimono that has only one color but black. If the color was black, it will be a
“Mofuku”.
“Mofuku” is the formal wear to a funeral.
“Yukata” is a summer dress. Most women wear them to summer festivals. The cloth is thinner and
it usually has brighter colors and designs than Kimonos because people don’t wear them to formal
events.
“Jinbei” is a kind of traditional Japanese clothing worn during the summer. We can sometimes see
small girls and boys wearing them in summer, but they look boyish so women rarely wear them.
It is interesting how Japanese go to temples and
shrines for events like Buddhism, but has
Weddings in churches like Christian. As
mentioned in the history of Kimono, since Japan
was influenced by Western culture in the Meiji
period, Japanese culture and the Western culture
are both halfway and mixed in the recent years. It
is very hard to find old Japanese cultures in
Tokyo, but Kyoto prefecture is one of the famous
places that represent Japan too. Not only that
there are many beautiful temples and shrines, but
there are streets and areas that still has the
buildings from the old days as it was before, and
many long-established stores are still running.
Young Japanese dance girls of Kyoto called
“Maiko” wearing attractive Kimono and lots of
makeup walks along the old streets which makes
an atmosphere close to the old days like Edo
period when they were still wearing Kimonos for
everyday clothing. Wearing Kimono automatically
causes atmosphere of antique and old Japanese
culture. “Maiko” are a Japanese culture from
many years ago that still continues, and this is
also one of the scenes where Japanese people
show still show their love for Kimonos. Also, in
most Japanese-style hotels, Yukata are prepared
for people’s nightclothes. The designs and colors
are very simplified because they are only for
sleeping. Furthermore, we can see from the point
that these days in the summer, there are some
kind of privileges for people wearing Yukata or
Kimono, in places like restaurants, theme parks,
and sports games, that Kimono are becoming
standard for outdoor clothing.
Overall, Kimonos are still considered to be an
important Japanese culture that is loved by many
Japanese people.