Kimonos

The word Kimono means "something worn". It is the national costume of Japan. Originally the word was used for all types of clothing, but now it specifically stands for the full-length traditional garment worn by Japanese people. These are T-shaped ankle length, straight-lined robes, with collars and full-length sleeves. The sleeves are usually very wide at the wrist, sometimes as wide as half a meter.

Today, Japanese women usually own only one kimono called "furosode", which is worn for the "coming of age ceremony" on the 19th birthday. For special ceremonies like weddings, complete bridal kimono apparel is usually rented. They are very rarely worn daily anymore except in small rural towns in Japan and are generally worn with traditional wood-platform footwear.

History:
Kimono garments were originally Chinese and were called "hanfu" there. But they have seen many changes throughout Japan's history and many Chinese aspects were transformed in line with Japanese conditions and tastes. The modern kimono began to take form during Japan's Heian period (794-1192 CE).

There is a popular notion that kimonos are one size garments but it is not so, they come in various lengths and widths. They are often stitched according to an individual's fit and size. This attire is made from a single bolt of fabric measuring 9 meters by 30 centimeters. The bolts come in standard dimensions and all the fabric is used in the making of the dress. The traditional kimonos are stitched by hands and the fabrics used in making them are usually hand woven and embroidered. Techniques such as yuzen dye resist are used for decorating the base cloth.

In the past, a kimono was often unstitched for washing and then re-sewn for wearing. Modern fabrics and cleaning methods have been developed that eliminate this need.

Beachwear kimonos:
Over time there have been many variations in colors, fabric and style, as well as the usage of kimonos. Now the kimonos are used as fashionable beachwear cover up garments and are styled like a bathrobe with a belt stitched in the garment or sometimes they are worn over Western clothes like a coat. In recent times, the kimonos have build their way into the fashion world of women in their twenties and thirties. The presence of the Japanese kimono is being experienced in the fashion industry all over the world as well.

Kimono Patterns:
Kimono patterns are either associated with colors or with the occasion. They are usually worn to compliment different seasons:-

• In the spring season, bright colors and spring floral kimono patterns are worn.
• In autumn, fall colors and patterns are worn.
• In the winter season, patterns with designs such as bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms are worn for they are symbolic of good luck and prosperity.

Kimono patterns according to the occasion:-

• Traditionally, woven kimono patterns, dyed clothing and repetitive patterns are considered informal.
• Formal kimonos have free-style designs dyed over the whole surface or along the border.

Originally, the kimono was worn in multiple layers of different colors. Many layers of contrasting colored kimonos were worn. But now a days, they are normally worn with a single layer with a slip style undergarment called juban underneath.

Kimono Styles:
There are many types of kimonos, each worn according to a person's age, season or the occasion. The formal kimonos are of two types based on the person's age and marital status.

• Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves called furisode. They are very colorful and have rich vibrant patterns.
• The kimonos that are often worn by older women or those women who are married, are called tomesode. The designs of these kimonos are simple and they are available in solid patterns and subdued colors.

Fabrics:
A variety of natural and manmade fabrics are used for making kimonos.

• Silk: This fabric is obtained from the cocoons made by the larvae of silkworm. This is the most desirable and formal fabric used for making kimonos.
  
  
• Cotton: It is a natural fiber and is used for more casual purpose kimonos.
  
  
• Polyester: It is a type of polymer or more specifically condensation polymer, which contains the ester functional group in its main chain. Usually, polyester refers to clothes woven from polyester fiber. They are now being used in manufacturing kimonos.
  
  
• Rayon: Rayon is the oldest manufactured fiber, it was first produced in the year 1880 in France, where it was originally developed as a cheap alternative to silk. As it gives a little bit of silk feel it is used in kimono manufacturing.
  
  
• Sateen: This fabric is also being used in the manufacture of kimono as it has a glossy feel and finish.