Traditional Attire Series of Asia – Japan (Part 8)
Japan is a country renowned for its culture, traditions, attires, food and spectacular landscape. The costumes are unique and artistic with intricate designs. Their dresses symbolize their way of life and national integrity.
Kimono
Kimono is the prominent traditional costume of Japan. It is worn by both men and women and is available in various patterns and designs. The material used mainly is silk but some of them are made by light cotton material as well to beat the summer weather. The dress is transformed from long pieces of cloth into a straight-lined ankle-length T-shaped robe. The age, social status and marital status of especially women are determined by the kimonos. It is wrapped around the body with the left side overlapping the right side. Both the sides are secured by with a layer of Koshi Himo belt and embellished further with an obi belt. The Japanese people wear the dress with the traditional footwear called Zori or Geta and split-toe socks called Tabi.
Yukata
Yukata is a summer robe similar to kimonos made of cotton or synthetic fabric. The dress is especially worn by both men and women during Cherry Blossom viewing parties, fireworks, religious festivals, and also at public baths. Women’s Yukata has mostly long sleeves whereas the men’s one has shorter sleeves. The women’s outfit is vibrant with bright colors and elegant designs. The men’s outfit is comparatively simple concerning color and design.
Hakama
Hakama are worn over Kimono and is traditionally worn by the men. It is mostly worn during martial arts or often as formal wear. In earlier times there were variant styles of Hakama worn by the craftsmen, farmers, academics, and samurais. The dress is tied at the waist and the length extends till the ankles. Hakama is available in two types. The ones worn by women are called Andon Hakama which are wide pleated skirts. The other is worn by men and is called Umanori Hakama which are divided skirts resembling loose trousers. Hakama is commonly found with black and white-colored stiff, striped silk and in navy blue.
Furisode
Furisode is a type of Kimono worn by the single unmarried women in Japan. The dresses are mostly gifted by their parents at 20 years of age to attend the Coming of Age ceremonies. They are expensive compared to the other dresses in Japan. The feature which distinguishes the attire from the others is its long sleeves accompanied by elegant floral patterns portraying youth and humanity.
Haori
Haori is a lightweight coat or jacket worn over a Kimono. They are worn open with no belts to tie them around. Women wear Haori often over their western outfits and are available in myriad patterns and designs. Men also wear Haori which are simple in design but have decorative linings inside. In modern times, Haori symbolizes the trendy fashion icon.
Jinbei
Jinbei is the traditional dress for men especially worn during the summers inside the house or at firework festivals. It has now become famous among women as well. The attire consists of two pieces, the upper part being a short-sleeved jacket and the lower part being short pants. The unique part of the dress is that the sleeves are not directly attached to the coat but through linen threads which enable ventilation and appropriate air circulation thus keeping the body cool.
Happi
Happi a robe-like cotton jacket worn over a dress. It is especially worn by the male and the female performers during a dance or any festivals. The front of the dress is open and is tied at the waist with a belt. There are prints of icons or spectacular patterns embellishing the dress. Along with the attire, a headband is worn to ward off evil spirits. It is made of red or white striped cloth.
Susohiki
Susohiki is a special traditional attire of Japan. It is worn by the Geisha ladies of Japan. They are the skilled performers of traditional and classical Japanese dances. It resembles a kimono but is long with the skirt trailing along the floor. The dress is also worn by Maikowho, a performer who sings, dances and plays the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese restaurant). Susohiki is available in multiple colors, patterns, and designs. The important accessory of Susohiki is Kanzashi. It is an ornament worn on the head, enriched with gold and silver metal.
Uchikake
It is a robe-like coat worn especially worn over a bridal dress. Cranes in Japan are considered an auspicious symbol for weddings. Hence the robe is adorned by images of cranes colored in red.
There are few other dresses in Japan like the Tsukesage with modest patters and worn for parties by the women, Tomesode worn by married women, Iro-Muji with no design and worn by women for parties and meetings, Mofuku for mourning, Houmungi worn by both married and single women for parties and weddings and Hiyoku worn under the Kimono.
this is really cool to learn about! I never knew all of this and it’s really neat to learn about this culture!
I am glad you liked.
It is always nice to hear and see pictures about other cultures. Learning about their wardrobe and the meaning behind it is so interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Yes I am very happy to do this research
I have only been to Japan on a layover. My friends keep encouraging me to actually visit! I think I’ll do this soon!
Sure do so, you will enjoy.
My friend was gifted a Happi pieces. I was slightly jealous and asked for one, so fingers crossed her friends sends mine.
That would be great
Oh my goodness, this place looks beautiful! Although I’ve never been to Japan before myself, I would love to make my way over in the near future. Thanks for sharing all of this! 🙂
Thank you. I bet you will enjoy.
Thanks a lot! I was actually at a museum today with a number of these items, so it’s great to reinforce what I learned a bit about just earlier today!
wow that is great
This is was such an interesting read! i would love to visit Japan someday. It sounds like a beautiful place to visit!
Thank you
It is always so interesting to learn about other people’s cultures, especially things that don’t immediately cross people’s minds like the meaning behind the design of outfits.
You are so right.
Good to know about various dresses of Japan. Looks like you had good knowledge about them. These outfits are really cute
I am actually doing a research on the traditional outfits.
Watching movies I was hypnotized by the abundance of traditional and cultural color of this place. To see it with my own eyes would be an experience of a peculiar kind.
Yes indeed I bet it would be.
So many beautiful designs here. I’m excited about looking into these for a festival I’m attending.
Is it a Japanese one?
I promised myself that if I get to Japan, I would bring home a kimono (or some) as souvenirs. I just love how good they are made and look too.
wow that is great
I honestly didn’t realize there were so many different styles of traditional clothing there. I have been to China before but not to Japan. I will have to make it out there eventually. Kimonos truly are beautiful.
Asia has varieties in clothing. You will love.
I never knew there were so many different reasons for wearing these pieces…. For example some of these pieces are worn for celebrations or certain events while others are worn by people in certain careers. This is all very interesting and the attire is absolutely gorgeous!
Truly the uniqueness is amazing
This was so informative and educational!
Thank you
Kimono looks really great in real life too.
All the traditional dresses are awesome.
Thosew ere a really beautiful traditional attire. Japan always gives us the best aside from great spots, they have these clothes.
Glad that you touch based on some of the traditional outfits here in Japan. Jinbei are also wore by kids as well as it is easy to put on (and if you know preschoolers, mom would love to put on a Jinbei than a kimono). Also, Furisode are traditionally made for unmarried ladies, I have a kimono that has red inside the sleeves that designates me as a single lady. A kimono dealer told me the red inner sleeves is to tell others that the woman is single.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, means a lot to me.
I’ve always wanted to visit Japan. Their traditional and modern fashion always blows me away!
The Japanese traditional clothing is so beautiful. I love how rich the fabrics look x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
Mesmerizing! What a cultural trip into the unknown and so mystical and rich and educational. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
hi this is awesome!
If you can check out my music/art blog, it would mean so much.
http://thehighsnlows.com
Thanks,
Lo
Visited and liked your blog.
thank you!!
Its a really nice and colourful 🙂
Thank you