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When you heard of Japanese traditional clothing, maybe most of you will think about Kimono. The word "kimono/着物", which actually means a "thing to wear" (ki: wear and mono: thing), has come to denote these full-length robes.

 

Do you know that there are different kinds of Kimono depending on the occasions?

From formal like wedding ceremony to casual occasions where you wear to go see fireworks.
Here we are going to show you some of Kimono’s type.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Furisode(振袖)

Furisode literally translates as swinging sleeves - the sleeves of furisode average between 39 and 42 inches (110 cm) in length. Furisode is the most formal kimono for unmarried women, with colorful patterns that cover the entire garment. The longer the sleeve is, the more formal it is.
 

Tomesode(留袖)

Tomesode is a formal dress worn by married women. They always have crests, and the patterns, which may incorporate gold and silver, are only below the waist.

There are two kinds of tomesode; kuro (黒, black) and iro (色, colored). Kuro Tomesode is the most formal and always have five crests. Iro Tomesode can have any base color other than black and may have one, three, or five crests.
 

 Houmongi(訪問着)

Houmongi, sometimes spelled homongi, means “visiting wear”. These are semi-formal kimonos worn by both married and unmarried women. Houmongi often has a pattern around the hem and sleeve and sometimes up over the body of the kimono. On houmongi, the pattern joins up at over the seams.

 

 Shiromuku(白無垢)

A heavy, sumptuous pure white kimono is worn by the bride. Shiromuku means white and pure. Shiromuku is one of the most prestigious wafuku (Japanese traditional clothing) in Japan. Currently, this pure white kimono is the symbol of the traditional Shinto style wedding ceremony.

 

Komon(小紋)

Komon means "fine pattern" is a casual kimono. The term refers to kimono with a small, repeated pattern throughout the garment. This style is more casual and may be worn around town, or dressed up with a formal obi for a restaurant. Komon is worn by married and unmarried women.
 

Yukata(浴衣)

Yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined. It is very lightweight, cool, and comfortable compared to a traditional kimono. You can wear it to a casual party, events in the spring and the summer or indoor events in all seasons.
 

 

 

Montsuki-Hakama(紋付き袴)

Montsuki-Hakama is an ensemble of Montsuki+Haori+Hakama. Montsuki is a formal kimono with a family crest, while haori is a light, hip- or thigh-length jacket worn with kimono. And Hakama is a general term for pleated skirt-like garments.

Black Montsuki is the most formal kimono of men.
 

 

 

Omeshi(お召)

Omeshi is the highest class kimono in woven kimono. A kind of Chirimen (silk crepe) kimono. But it's distinguished from another Tsumugi or Chirimen kimono.

"Omeshi" means a noble person puts on clothes.
 

 

 

Tsumugi(紬)

Tsumugi is a daily or working kimono that is woven by an unevenly spun silk thread.
It's popular as a daily wear or street cloth (town wear) now. If you put a family crest in the back, you can use it as a semi-formal wear. It is more casual than the Hakama.
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shichigosan(七五三)

Shichigosan is a rite of passage day for Japanese boys age 3 & 5, and Japanese girls age 3 & 7. The festival is celebrated every 15th of November to thank the gods for the health and well-being of the kids thus far.



 

Seijinshiki(成人式)

The second Monday of January is a special holiday for Japanese society’s newly minted adults who just turned 20 years old the past year. Women usually don the Furisode, a style of Kimono with long sleeves and colorful patterns specifically worn by unmarried women.

 

Weddings(結婚式)

Wedding Kimonos for Shinto weddings are among the most intricately designed and the most expensive. The bride’s Kimono consists of two Kimonos called Shiromuku and Uchikake.
 

Funerals(葬式)

Mofuku is the Kimono for mourning. It’s an all-black ensemble worn during funerals and memorial days whose use is reserved only for the immediate family and close friends of the deceased.
 

Fireworks / Summer Festivals(花火/夏祭)

Unlike the Kimono, Yukata is a simple robe made of cotton that is thin in texture, easy to wear and rather inexpensive. Today, it is also popularly worn during the summer for casual gatherings.