SAYOKO’s tips on how to choose a kimono for formal occasions.

Hello!
I’m Sayoko.I’m here again today to share with you some information about kimonos from Japan! I am so glad that you read this article.

I’m going to tell you about how to choose the right kimono for each occasion in the next four articles. In Japan, there are many different types of kimono, even if we say “kimono” in one word. There are several types of kimonos such as tomesode, furisode, yukata and so on, just like there are dresses, one-pieces, T-shirts, and jeans. Japanese people choose the appropriate kimono to wear depending on the place and scene.

Kimonos can be divided into formal, semi-formal, informal and casual.

Formal kimono includes “uchikake”, “tomesode”, “furisode”, etc., which are worn at weddings (for the bride and groom and their parents), graduation ceremonies, and coming-of-age ceremonies.
In terms of clothing, long dresses and mimore-length dresses that cover the calves are considered formal.

Semi-formal kimono includes “homongi” , “iromuji”, etc., which are worn at weddings for those who are invited, prestigious ceremonies, and parties.
In terms of clothing, these include cocktail dresses, midi-length dresses, and elegant dresses.

Informal kimono includes “homongi” and “iromuji” without a family crest, which are worn to formal restaurants and parties without formalities.
In term of clothing, a beautiful one-piece and suit.

Lastly, casual wear includes “komon” and “yukata”, which are worn for daily meals with friends, shopping in town, and spending time at home.
In terms of clothing, casual one-pieces, T-shirts, and jeans would fit the bill.

Today, I will tell you more about formal kimono.

Uchikake

Uchikake is a kimono worn by brides at weddings.Uchikake is used in the same way as a wedding dress. The most common colors of Uchikake are white, black or red. The history of Uchikake began in the Muromachi period (1336–1573), and its role as a wedding kimono came into existence in the late Edo period (1603–1868). It is said that wealthy women in Kyoto, Edo, and other cities began to wear uchikake for their weddings.

Kuro-tomesode

The most formal kimono for married women is the kuro-tomesode. (The kimono worn by the woman on the right in the photo above.) The most common wearers in Japan are the mothers of the bride and groom at their wedding.The characteristic of kuro-tomesode is that the pattern is not broken at the seams, but is connected like a single picture. And there are five family crests on it. The family crest is an emblem unique to Japan. Each Japanese family has one family crest as a symbol of the family.

↑This is the family crest of the Tokugawa family who ruled Edo.

Furisode

While kuro-tomesode is the first formal kimono for married women, Furisode is the most formal kimono for unmarried women. It is characterized by long sleeves that extend to the ankles.And it differs greatly from the kuro-tomesode in that the pattern is drawn not only on the hem but on the entire kimono. Many women wear furisode at the coming-of-age ceremony in Japan.

Iro-tomesode with five family crests

This is a type of kimono made of a fabric other than black. Like the kuro-tomesode, the pattern is drawn only on the hem. The difference from Kuro-tomesode is who can wear it. The Kuro-tomesode is only for married women, while the Iro-tomesode can be worn by both married and unmarried women.

Black mourning dress

Black mourning dress is a kimono worn by mourners at funerals. The official black mourning dress is usually black with five family crests. It is also called kuro-montsuki.Rarely is there a white mourning dress. My description of these white mourning clothes would be very long, so I’ll explain it in detail another time!

That’s all I have to say about how to choose a formal kimono!

Next time, I’ll show you how to choose a semi-formal kimono!
Thank you for reading this far.

Cao!