Japan

Japanese kimono avaMany modern national costumes around the planet look less interesting than the authentic outfits worn hundreds of years ago. Often, the colors are too bright, the needlework is machine-made, and the adornments are from the mass market, as opposed to unique handmade items used by our ancestors. But all this doesn’t apply to the Japanese traditional kimono. These folk garments always look charming and sophisticated, both vintage and modern kimonos and obi belts. To prove this opinion, we offer you several gorgeous photos of contemporary Japanese folk outfits captured on camera in the modern-day streets of Japan.

hikihaku avaThis type of traditional Japanese obi belts is very special because the cloth for it is hand-woven from silk threads and foil paper threads. Due to this, the fabric of hikihaku obi looks gorgeous and shiny, with a distinct metallic sheen. But how do they achieve this? How can they create fabric from foil? The process of making textile using the hikihaku technique is not simple, but there are Japanese artisans who know how to do it and produce this beautiful gleaming fabric these days.

Japan new ava2The Japanese kimono is one of those traditional garments you can talk about forever, and there will be more and more new curious facts and wonderful information. For example, did you know that the Japanese produced so-called “kimono for foreigners” they exported to Europe? And these robes of a slightly modernized design were extremely fashionable among 19th-century women and especially men. We have a lot more interesting info about kimono in store for you)).

Japan new avaToday, everyone knows that a kimono is a traditional costume in Japan. It’s hard to find a person who has never seen a kimono at least in the photos or in movies. But surprisingly, kimono isn’t the oldest Japanese attire, as well as silk isn’t among the first fabrics originally used to make clothes in Japan. So, what material was popular before silk? And when did people invent the first kimono? These are curious questions we’re going to answer right away. And more fun facts about a kimono are ready to amaze you.

homongi kimono avaThis type of kimono was very popular among Japanese women. It was the next step after the furisode kimono. Homongi is used even in modern times but, of course, much more seldom than in the late 19th – early 20th century. Let’s find out more about this garment: what did it look like, what obi belt was worn with it, what fabric and embellishments were used to make it, who actually wore homongi kimono, etc?

komon kimono avaThere is a variety of Japanese kimonos for different purposes and occasions: furisode, yukata, homongi, komon, and others. This time, we’re going to learn more about the latter. What is a komon kimono? When is it worn? How is it decorated? Why was the komon kimono one of the favorite and most popular outfits in Japan? Let’s take a closer look at this cute Japanese folk garment and answer all these questions.

Kimono2 avaThe furisode kimono is an extraordinary Japanese garment with an entertaining history. The beauty of some examples is indubitable, just like the intricacy of patterns on its fabric. Very often, the body and sleeves of this outfit are embellished with flowers depicted in bright colors, because it is an extremely festive kimono. If you want to know whether this garment is used just by women or by men as well, feel free to read on.

datejime avaThese are plenty of different tutorials that show how to wear a Japanese kimono – and, by the way, there are plenty of variations of kimono in Japan. But still, we decided to publish another tutorial to help you put on the kimono and soft datejime sash properly and easily. The Japanese culture is very strict and precise – everything from food to clothing to hairdos to interior design, etc. should be done extremely accurately and meticulously. So, always pay great attention to your kimono when you put it on.

undergarments avaAs you might know, the national costume of Japan consists not only of a kimono but of many layers of clothing. And the underwear pieces play a very important role. Besides protecting the kimono from body oils and sweat, they give the female body a needed shape, because the traditional Japanese silhouette is flat (no curves showed). So all the underrobes and sashes are used to create this flat silhouette. But what undergarments are worn under the kimono? How are they draped? And how to make the whole thing look tidy despite several layers of rather thin and delicate fabrics?

geisha makeup avaThese days, more and more women around the world, who are not Japanese, fall in love with Japan’s culture and learn how to dress like a geisha. Of course, real geishas traditionally are Japanese females only, but the Western ladies also can appreciate the looks of this interesting Japanese character. So, we’ve decided to show you how to easily apply the geisha makeup, using tools you can easily get your hands on. Actually, nothing too complicated, but you need a bit of experience to make everything right.

Samurai armor avaA lot of historically valuable costumes are kept in museums around the world. And often, they are not just displayed and stored but also reconstructed and conserved. Are you curious about how the process of conservation is done? Because we are. And today, we’d like to show you how specialists from The Victoria & Albert Museum in London are doing the conservation of an old Japanese doll in full samurai armor. At the same time, you’ll be able to examine this samurai attire in detail.

Kimono avaThe traditional costume of Japan, the kimono, is an elegant garment that makes a woman look her best. With their wide variety of seasonal designs, kimonos reflect Japan's rich natural beauty. The cut of a kimono is very simple, but at the same time, this garment is sophisticated and beautifully embellished. A big role in the design of modern kimonos played the 17th-century prohibition against displays of luxury. Because of these bans against laborious kimono embroidery and tie-dyed fabrics, the design of this gorgeous Japanese garment has changed big way.

Meisen kimono avaThe majority of people know about the kimono – national costume of Japan. There are classic kimono designs, colors, and patterns that are used in the formal kimonos. But today, we’re going to take a look at some very different designs from the ordinary traditional Japanese kimonos. These days, about a hundred years after they were first created, they are enjoying a resurgence of popularity. These garments are called the “Meisen kimonos”.

Obi avaThe Japanese folk costume, so-called kimono, can’t be properly worn without the obi – wide and long ornate sash. Both males and females use obi but they look different. Japanese women are very creative and imaginative if to talk about the kimono and obi belt wearing. There are about 100 various ways of tying the obi, each more elaborate and intricate than the other. Today, we’ll show you some of the obi knots. And also, we’ll find out what other accessories are used with the obi to keep the kimono in place.

Maiko avaOne of the most beautiful and artful jobs in Japan is being a geisha. It has nothing to do with call girls or sex. These women study old Japanese traditions, perform dances and songs, play traditional musical instruments, and entertain visitors. In Kyoto, girls engaged in such activities are called “maiko”. After they perfect their skills, the females get the title “geiko”. It is a very honorable job and not so easy to do.

Furisode avaJapan has a wide variety of folk garments. Usually, they are multilayered and intricately decorated. We chose the most popular and beloved outfits worn by the Japanese people. Historically, these kimonos and other pieces were used in a day-to-day life but today, the locals prefer to wear them only on special occasions. No matter what Japanese garment we are talking about, there are dozens of rules that dictate how to wear it, who is allowed to use it, what accessories are to supplement it with, etc.

Kimono avaFew historical garments capture the imagination the way the kimono does. Let’s talk a bit about the kimono’s evolution, its unique peculiarities, and modern life of this traditional garment. Every folk costume, every piece of clothing has a future until it is used today and until it is improved, altered, and changed by modern designers to fit the new era. Do you agree with such a claim? What do you think about “red carpet kimonos”? From your point of view, does kimono have a worthy future?

Wedding avaJapanese wedding outfit, especially the bridal one, is rather complicated and heavy but very authentic-looking and offbeat. The groom’s attire is more comfy and simple. Both costumes are worth knowing about their symbolism and historical background, and, of course, they’re worth wearing them. We’d like to show you the beauty and unusualness of the traditional wedding kimonos of Japan, interesting accessories, and outstanding local headdresses. So, let’s get started.

Yuki tsumugi avaJapanese people have been producing, exporting, and using silk fabric for hundreds and hundreds of years. Traditionally, the process of making silk fabric for the kimono is handmade. It requires a lot of hard work, skill, and fondness. Today, we’d like to introduce a fine technique of hand-weaving the silk cloth to you. It is called “Yuki-tsumugi” and it is one of the crafts included to the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Kimono avaJapanese kimono is a unique garment. It differs so much from most other folk costumes around the world. We offer you a very fine collection of modern kimonos, Japanese outerwear, ornate obi belts, and various folk accessories. If you want to know the difference between furisode, homongi, and komon kimono, male and female kimono and obi, or would like to see modern purses with authentic motifs, then this article is just for you.

Kasuri avaJapanese traditional kasuri textile is a Japanese equivalent of ikat fabric (popular in Indonesia, India, African and Latin American countries, etc.). The process of making the kasuri is complicated and time-consuming. But it is worth the effort – this fabric is beautiful and unique. Here is a detailed story of kasuri making in Japan. You’ll learn something about the traditional patterns, dyeing techniques, weaving tips, and other important steps of producing kasuri fabric.

male kimono avaIt’s not too difficult to put on a male kimono – the traditional Japanese costume. But still, you have to wear every piece of the outfit right to avoid being laughed at. Here are some hints from a native Japanese that will help you use the men’s kimono perfectly.

male yukata avaWearing the male yukata can be tricky. Well, not as tricky as the women’s one, but still. Have some problems with a men version of yukata? Nationalclothing.org will always have your back. Here’s an article specially for you. Use our hints to put on the male yukata with an obi and a koshihimo.

japanese yukata avaJapanese traditional outfits are very noble-looking and beautiful, but they often are extremely complicated in wearing. We’ll help you to learn how to wear the yukata – a kind of women’s kimono used in summer.

Hello everyone, my name is Ayumi Hoshino. I will show you how to wear yukata.

Doll avaVarious Japanese dolls are an important part of the everyday life and culture of Japan. Many of them have a symbolic meaning or depict the local fashion and style, regional peculiarities, and the sophisticated traditional taste in clothes. The craftsmen who make the Japanese dolls try to be accurate and precise in every detail of a dress, a hairdo, and accessories. So, we can use these dolls to learn more about the folk outfit of Japan and the clothing traditions of this country.

japanese-dress avaTraditional Japanese clothing is still in use in Japan. But mostly people wear the national costume for festivals, formal events, weddings, funerals and various ceremonies. In day-to-day life Japanese wear western clothing. The main pieces of Japanese traditional clothing are: hakama, kimono, fundoshi, happi, hanten, jinbei, samue, obi (sashes), sokutai, uwagi, and yukata. Japanese male national costume is not really masculine, and female attire is not very feminine. The main feature of both costumes is chastity and virtue. But the national clothing of this country is really unique and outstanding.