The word Kimono means "clothing" (ki - from kiru, to wear and mono - thing) and is used to refer to the traditional Japanese garment, which comes in many varieties and is still worn today, albeit on rare occasions. The word kimono literally means "clothing" and started being used in the 19th century to distinguish Japanese clothing from Western garments known as yofuku. Made by joining rectangular pieces of fabric, it does not highlight the body's curves as Western clothing tends to do; on the contrary, it completely conceals them, and the person wearing it must move with grace and deliberation, showcasing their deep qualities.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KIMONO
Jomon and Yayoi Periods: In the first and oldest period, the only form of clothing was made from animal hides. In the following period, women began to wear a type of garment called kantoi, consisting of a kind of skirt and a dress tied at the waist with a cotton belt. Men, on the other hand, wore yokohaba no nuno, made of two large pieces of fabric tied one over the chest to cover the shoulders and one around the belly to cover the body up to the knees.
Yamato Period: The representatives of the most powerful clans began to distinguish themselves from the masses even in clothing. Men wore a garment called kinubakama, consisting of a jacket (kinu) and trousers (hakama); women wore kinu and a skirt called mo.
Asuka and Nara Periods: The influence of China was very strong, also regarding techniques for dyeing fabrics, which began to have bright colors. At court, men wore green hakama, a pleated skirt, and an orange or green jacket worn over the skirt and fastened with a belt. They also wore a headdress, always orange. Women (myobu) wore instead of hakama, a mo also in orange, and their long hair was gathered behind their backs.
Heian Period: Japanese culture experienced an extraordinary flourishing in all the arts, and court clothing reached a high degree of variety. Among these, the most representative was the nyobo shozoku, the outfit of the court lady. This type of garment has recently been defined as junihito-e, which literally means "12 different garments." In fact, women wore multiple garments one over the other, sometimes reaching up to twenty layers. The greater the number of layers, the higher the prestige and rank of the woman wearing them. The specific color of the layers was more important than the decorations. There were about 200 rules governing the color combinations of the kimono. The colors were established to reflect the seasons and their characteristics, revealing the deep connection of the Japanese with their surrounding nature. From November to February, white kimonos were worn outside and red inside; in March and April, lavender kimonos were worn outside and blue inside. Winter and spring also included yellow and orange outer garments. The innermost layer was the kosode, a name referring not to the length of the sleeve but to its opening; the outermost layer was karaginu, followed by uchikake. It was similar to the latter but in more subdued colors, the garment worn daily by the court gentleman called kariginu.
Kamakura and Muromachi Periods: The new rulers of the bakufu routinely wore hitatare, and their wives wore kosode, which was initially worn under other garments; only on important occasions did they wear uchikake.
Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo Periods: The pleasure districts of geishas and kabuki actors emerged, launching new fashions. Despite the wide variety of garments, the female outfit remained fundamentally the kosode and the male outfit, the kamishimo, consisting of kataginu, a short-sleeved jacket, and nagabakama. High-ranking warriors continued to wear kariginu. Common citizens wore kosode and haori.
Meiji Period: Japan was strongly influenced by the West, trying to imitate its advanced technology and industry. The government urged the people to wear Western-style clothing, and in formal ceremonies, kimonos featured family emblems.
