The main types of formal kimono are:

kimono

  • Kuro tomesode, a formal kimono for married women. Kuro means black, and tomesode implies sleeves of short width. Kuro tomesode typically have five family crests as well.
  • Iro tomesode, another formal kimono for married women, though less formal than the kuro tomesode. It too has five crests and sleeves of short width. The word iro implies color, which differentiates this formal kimono from the kuro tomesode.
  • Uchikake, a long robe that is an integral part of the traditional Japanese bridal costume.
  • Shiromuku, another traditional bridal robe. The shiromuku is white.
  • Furisode, a kimono with wide, flowing sleeves. Furisode are for single women, and are very colorful and feature ornate designs.
  • Houmongi, a modified version of the furisode or tomesode. Houmongi are meant for formal visits.
  • Mofuku, a kimono for mourning. The mofuku features no design or pattern.

The standard kimono pattern includes the following parts:

furisode4

Length: 158 cm
Sleeve and shoulder width: 63 cm
Sleeve width: 32 cm
Shoulder width: 31 cm
Sleeve depth: 49 cm

The standard kimono pattern includes the following parts:

kimono-pattern-part

kimono_parts

  • Eri (collar)
  • Erisaki (collar end)
  • Erishita (collar underside)
  • Furi (sleeve portion below the arm hole)
  • Mae sode (sleeve front)
  • Mae migoro (body front)
  • Suso (hem)
  • Senui (back middle seam)
  • Ushiro migoro (body back)
  • Tomoeri (collar topside)
  • Ushiro sode (sleeve back)
  • Sodeguchi (sleeve opening)
  • Sode haba (sleeve width)
  • Kata haba (shoulder width)
  • Yuki (sleeve and shoulder width)
  • Sodetsuke (armhole seam)
  • Sodetake (sleeve depth)
  • Miyatsuguchi (opening under armhole)

bridal21

kid-kimono1

Kimono are clothes worn in Japan. Kimono are designed to match the seasons. They are also designed for different occasions. When a baby is born, if it is a girl, it is dressed in a white under garment and a bright yuzen or dyed kimono; if a boy is born, he wears a black kimono with the family crest on it. Another occasion for wearing a kimono is Shichi-go san.

 

new_kimono_a

On the “Coming of Age” day a girl wears a furisode (kimono with long flowing sleeves), a boy wears a sahaori (half-coat) and a hakama with the family crest. Only unmarried women wear a furisode. A married woman wears a tomesode. A tomesode only has a pattern on the bottom half. A colored tomesode can also be worn on formal occasions

admin on March 16th, 2008 | File Under Culture | 1 Comment -