Traditional Japanese Clothing
Asia Clothing
Traditional Asia Clothing of Japan came from the Edo period started from the year 1601 to 1867. This clothing consists of three basic pieces; the upper garment known as “kimono”, lower garment known as “hakama” and the sash known as “obi”. The difference between Europe and Asia traditional clothing is very definitive. All Japanese clothing are embroidered and crafted with beautiful and wonderful fabric works. Most commonly used decorations are family crests, flowers, bamboo or animals. Although kimono is one piece clothing it is far from simple, especially women kimono. It is elegant and complex clothing, and does not come with cheap price. One standard kimono might cost more than US$10,000 and can easily exceed US$20,000 for a complete set along with undergarment, obi, socks, sandals and other accessories.
Kimono is the main element of traditional Japanese clothing. During the Edo period, kimono was worn as outer garment and made from all types of fabrics. Until the Edo period, types of fabrics used for kimono was class oriented, and silk reserved only for people from upper class. Kimono design is determined by gender, age and also social status. For example, married women usually use darker fabric for their kimono with shorter sleeves compared to a young and unmarried women kimono. All adult kimonos consist of eight pieces, made from one single roll of cloth 36 centimeters wide and 11 meters long. All of the pieces are seamless with the same width on each cut despite the size its wearer. Any extra cloth is simply tuck underneath the sash known as “obi”. Design of the “obi” itself is determined by gender and age.
Nagajuban is an undergarment worn before the kimono, while the lighter summer kimono is called Yukata. Hakama is pant’s like lower garment with seven folds representing seven human qualities; courage, justice, chivalry, prestige, humility, honesty and loyalty.
