| Many Japanese wore Kimonos in Ancient Japan. | | | | kimono. A bridegroom might decide to wear a |
| Kimono styles have changed with the times as | | | | Haori, a type of jacket, with his Hakama and |
| with any fashion but the modern Kimono still | | | | kimono. Braided material tied into a fancy knot |
| bears a striking resemblance to those of ancient | | | | keeps the Haori closed. |
| Japan. The choice of material, cut, colors, and | | | | A young woman not yet married wears a |
| decorative design of a kimono are different | | | | Furisode which is a bright kimono which flows |
| depending on many variables. | | | | around the ankles. Married women might choose |
| From the beginning of Japan's recorded history | | | | to wear a similar style but with short sleeves. The |
| until present day the Kimono has been an integral | | | | Obi is often eye-catching and can be as much as |
| part of Japanese fashion, adapting to changing | | | | 30 centimeters wide and 4 meters long taking up |
| lifestyles and trends. Weaving and dyeing skills and | | | | to an whole hour to tie properly. At a wedding a |
| the ability of various raw materials have improved | | | | bride will usually wear a white kimono with a red |
| over time thus allowing the Kimono to improve in | | | | or orange outer-kimono. Brighter patterns and |
| quality and design. Traditional style clothing plays | | | | prints have traditionally been worn by children and |
| and important role in Japan and even today the | | | | seldom by adults. |
| Imperial family will wear clothing from as far back | | | | Although kimonos are not as common as they |
| as the Nara period during special rituals and | | | | were in ancient Japan they can still often be seen |
| ceremonies. | | | | on certain Japanese holidays. A special technique is |
| Men of ancient Japan wore kimonos in white, | | | | used to produce these kimonos. The fabric is at |
| black, brown, blue, and gray color tones which | | | | least 14 meters long and up to 40 centimeters |
| tended to be more conservative in design than | | | | wide and is cut into eight pieces and then sewn |
| those worn by females. Around the waste a | | | | so as to not create any waste. A lot of the |
| narrow sash tied into a knot at the back was | | | | material and embroidery methods originated in |
| worn. This was known as an Obi. In summertime, | | | | China. |
| which is very hot and humid in Japan, a Yukata is | | | | Japan is no longer the only country enthusiastic |
| worn which closely resembles a kimono except it | | | | about kimonos as the fashion trend spreads |
| is made of much lighter material and is usually | | | | around the world. It is easy to adapt wear them |
| white or blue. Floral patterns and bright colors are | | | | with a skirt or even pants. One can purchase |
| usually popular with women who wear kimonos. In | | | | Japanese fabrics and have them made into |
| martial arts films you may see Japanese men | | | | dresses, shirts, and of course kimonos. |
| wearing a Hakama, or pleated pants, over their | | | | |