The Kimono: Traditional and Fashionable
Happy New Year all! Hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday. Most businesses are back at it again today or tomorrow unless you've taken a bit of extra vacation.During New Years, one of the traditional Japanese things to do is to visit a local temple or shrine to give a first prayer for the new year. Places like Meiji Jingu (shrine) near to Harajuku in Tokyo are quite popular at this time of year. Should you go to visit one, you will get to see a plethora of beautiful kimono.
That brings me to the point of my post today. While the majority of Japanese don't wear a kimono everyday it's still an important part of their lifestyle. They'll wear it to their coming-of-age ceremony when they become an adult, at summer festivals, at weddings and at new year. It's patterns and intricate beauty have attracted attention worldwide and we've experienced a huge growth and adaptation of the kimono with European and North American style. What's so intriguing about it? When I think of a kimono one of the first pictures I see is that of a geisha in her uncomfortable but infinitely beautiful silk kimono. Perhaps the mystery and deep ethnicity is what is so intriguing. Certainly there are other ethnic costumes that are just as, if not, more beautiful. One thing remains clear though, the kimono, unlike many other older Japanese traditions, won't be dying out anytime soon.
Do you have one? C'mon! When in Japan right? If you choose to go expensive there are several shops around Japan where they will fashion you a beautiful kimono from scratch. But if a simple cotton kimono is what you are after, you can find these in places like Asakusa in Tokyo, outlet stores (in one size during the summer) and even the airport. The good thing about the airport is that they have more sizes to accomodate the non-Japanese shaped person. Even I have one. Though that puppy won't be seeing the light of day.....hehe.
posted by Fudocom - Celina @ 7:07 PM
2 Comments:
Hey, do you know what a new years day kimono is called?
Hi Mica! Thanks for your question.
There isn't a specific name for a new years kimono as kimono's other than ones for a traditional wedding or coming-of-age can be used for many occasions.
Younger women up to marriage wear the more brightly colored traditional kimonos called furisode. Perhaps this is the term you're thinking of? The furisode is the type often worn for coming-of-age as they are very expensive. For summer festivals many Japanese wear cotton yukata kimonos.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Reiko
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