Each nation carefully preserves its language, traditions, customs, folklore and national costume as an integral part of culture. For the Japanese, the basis of such a costume is a kimono. But if you watch historical films about eastern countries, you can see similar clothes in Ancient China, medieval Korea, and feudal Mongolia. What kind of people still have the right to wear a kimono and what kind of clothing it is, read about this in our article further.
What kind of clothing is a kimono?
This is a silk robe, which has the shape of the letter T and is cut out of 11.5 m of fabric with a width of 40 cm. Moreover, there is no waste from this amount of fabric - everything is used for sewing. These robes are sewn in the same size and only then the owner or hostess adjusts it for themselves using folds, and the obi belt helps with this. The cut of the clothing requires only straight seams, it is worn with a wrap to the right (a wrap to the left is permissible only for the deceased), and a wide belt is tied at the waist.
Important! The obi belt is not only wide – 26 cm, but also long – 3.6 m.It is wrapped repeatedly around the waist and secured in a special way on the back. Obi adorns the national costume.
The wide sleeves of the kimono are one of the functional and decorative details at the same time. She talks about the purpose for which the clothes are worn:
- long sleeves - furisode - reaching almost to the floor, are worn by unmarried Japanese women. It is believed that such an outfit helps attract male attention. This type of kimono is usually richly decorated with paintings on the silk of the robe and embroidered with intricate patterns;
- half-shorter sleeves - tomesode - are characteristic of the outfit after the wedding. The Japanese woman must become wiser and even more modest.
In which country is kimono traditional clothing?
2 thousand years ago, a costume became popular in Japan, worn by Koreans, Mongols and residents of Manchuria (part of China). Over time, he assimilated into Japanese culture and life. In the 13th century, the kimono acquired features that have been preserved to this day: wide sleeves, a wrap, an obi belt. Thus, it becomes clear that its elements are present in the national clothing of several countries of Central and Southeast Asia, but the kimono in its familiar form is the national women's and men's costume of the inhabitants of Japan.
Important! It is incorrect to use the word “kimono” to describe a sports suit for some types of wrestling. Pants and a jacket worn in martial arts are dogi, for other types - judogi, keikogi.
Features of dress in Japanese culture
The women of this eastern country have very distinctive figures. Japanese women are usually graceful, with small hands and feet, a flat chest, and a wide waist that does not stand out against narrow hips. He is always short in height and his legs are short. Clothing that came from the West in the 20th century does not adorn the women of the island state.But the traditional kimono (translated as the word “clothing”) suits them very well.
Important! In Japanese culture, it is customary for all body bulges to be hidden: the figure and face should have a flat outline.
The kimono really hides it all, and even the arms down to the fingertips (furisode style). Only the upper back and neck remain open. This place has always been considered the most beautiful in the entire figure. Therefore, the robe is tightly wrapped in front and secured with an obi belt, which forms a lush bow at the back, and leaves part of the figure low-cut at the back.
In addition to the above, there are several more types of kimono:
- homongi - where guests are received;
- Iromuji - conduct tea ceremonies;
- komon – walk around the city, visit restaurants;
- mofuku - bury close relatives;
- hikizuri - intended for geishas and dancers.
As can be seen from the brief listing, clothes can tell a lot about their owner. And it’s hard to even imagine how much all this splendor costs, considering that a real Japanese silk kimono is very expensive.
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