Shop Japanese Kimono and Kimono Robes

Japanese kimonos are one of the world's most beautiful traditional clothing and if you are need of one for costume, for Asian parties, for tea ceremonies, Asian events, business promotion, gifts, and more, then look no more beyond the borders and beyond our online store as this section of KimonoRobeStore.com holds your curated selection of genuine Japanese kimonos and kimono robes from Japan and China.

Hand-picked for their exquisite workmanship, the suitability of their fabric and designs for both casual and formal environments, and their growing popularity in Asia as the Japanese kimono and kimono robe of choice for casual and formal events, gifts, and souvenirs, these Japanese kimonos and kimono robes are a fail-safe option for your need of the Japanese kimono as a traditional Japanese clothing, Asian clothing, gift, or souvenir.

Need to shop Japanese kimono sets for that upcoming short-notice special occasion or casual event? Then our Japanese kimono sets, which consist of a Japanese kimono with pre-tied obi and obijime, are your best bet. So look no farther and shop Japanese kimonos, Japanese kimono sets, and kimono robes here on KimonoRobeStore.com and let their modern colors, traditional Japanese patterns, easy-to-wear fabrics, and competitive prices sweep you into the colorful and modern world of the traditional Japanese clothing.

What is a Kimono?

Kimono is a Japanese term that originally translates to clothing or something to wear, but until the recent years, it has been more specifically referred to the traditional Japanese clothing for women, which is an ankle-length, straight-cut, and wrap-around dress that features long and wide sleeves and secured at the waist with a wide sash, called obi.

The emphasis on a Japanese kimono's design basically lies in the patterns and colors of their fabric, thus, it has not become prone to trend and style changes, unlike the Western clothing. Also, while men prefer kimono robes with simple patterns and made of dark-colored fabrics, women usually prefer Japanese kimonos with cheerful patterns and colorful designs. The kimono comes in a multitude of styles – from those that are right as everyday kimono, for casual celebrations, and special occasions, and which reflect the status of their wearer.

How to Wear a Japanese Kimono?

Japanese kimonos are typically worn over a set of kimono undergarments, like the juban, han-juban, and susoyoke. Kimono undergarments, initially, were made to protect the ancient Japanese wearers from the cold weather in Japan, but today, they have become more of a protective underclothing for the kimono. Wearing the Japanese tabi socks is the first step to dressing up in a Japanese kimono, followed by the kimono underclothing, the kimono robe itself, and then the tying of the obi.

Occasions for Wearing the Japanese Kimono

Japanese kimonos are now considered as traditional Japanese clothing and usually reserved for special occasions, like attending tea ceremony; weddings; the Coming-of-Age Day, which is an annual national holiday that aims to encourage 20-year old Japanese to become self-reliant members of the society; graduation ceremonies, and, Shichi-Go-San Festival, which is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5, to celebrate the growth of being young children.

The Japanese kimono also adds color to the Japanese New Year, Hanami Festival (cherry blossom-viewing), summer festivals in Japan, special ceremonies, and other special occasions celebrated by the Japanese.

Basic Types of Japanese Kimono

Know which type of Japanese kimono to wear for everyday use, casual celebrations, and formal occasions by having the following basic types of Japanese kimono for your kimono buying guide:

Japanese kimono, particularly, for formal occasions are of different styles for the married and unmarried women, distinguished for their long arms, and include the following:

Furisode Kimono. A very colorful kimono for a single Japanese girl or woman. It features extra long, swinging sleeves, which signify that she is unmarried and is a legal adult, and worn at the Coming-of-Age Day, graduation ceremony, wedding party of relatives, and formal party.

Tomesode Dress. A formal Japanese kimono for married women and is of two (2) types:

• Kuro-tomesode: A black tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women that features an image of five (5) family crests, a colorful design on the bottom of the dress or below the waistline, and usually worn with a gold obi or an obi sash that matches the design on the bottom of the dress. It is worn by the mother or close family member of the bride or groom to a Japanese wedding ceremony.
• Irotomesode: A colored tomesode or Japanese kimono for married women. In terms of design, it is similar to the kuro-tomesode in that it features designs below the waistline only and can be worn at weddings by married women who are not closely related to the bride or groom and other festive occasions.

Homongi. Formal kimono dress for married women. It takes over the role of the Furisode and worn at a wedding party, tea ceremony, graduation ceremony, and other formal occasions.

Kakeshita. An elaborate type of Furisode, which is worn under an Uchikake or on its own. Typically, a white Kakeshita is worn on top of a white Uchikake, and a colorful kakeshita is worn under a colorful uchikake.

Bridal Kimono. The Japanese bride wears several kimonos on her wedding day, including the:

• Shiromoku. A white, heavily-embroidered kimono worn by the Japanese bride on the wedding ceremony itself or on a wedding in a shrine, often matched with an elaborate headpiece, called a tsunokakushi.
• Uchikake. This highly formal kimono is the ornate and unbelted, often colorful, and the most exuberant bridal kimono worn by the bride at the wedding reception. It is usually brocaded, heavily embroidered, or painted, have a thickly-padded hem and a trail, and worn over another kimono, called the Kakeshita.

Casual kimono for women, on the other hand, include the:

• Tukesage. Semi-formal kimono for women and distinguished for its design that is facing upwards. It is worn on a party, tea ceremony, and important events.
• Komon. The "normal" kimono dress for women and characterized for the very small patterns that lie everywhere in the kimono. It is worn at a house party and when going out around town.
• Iromuji. Solid-colored kimonos usually pastel-hued. It can be worn on any occasion, but when it features the family crest, it becomes a formal kimono.
• Susohiki. Mostly worn by geishas or by traditional Japanese dance performers. This kimono for women is long enough to trail on the floor and is padded at the hem.

Kimono for Men. They are, typically, dark-colored or feature simple patterns. The most formal style of kimono is plain black silk with five kamon on the chest, shoulders and back, while slightly less formal is the three-kamon kimono.

Other types of Japanese Clothing for Men and Women

Kimono for Summer. They are typically unlined to keep their user cool during the warm summer months and include the:

• Yukata. A light cotton kimono robe that is used by men and women during the summer months and after bathing at hot spring resorts or traditional inns. Originally worn to the bath house by the upper class and made of plain white cotton, the yukata became popular among the common people and were often stencil-dyed.
• Jinbei. A casual, summer kimono consisting of a pair of shorts wrap-type top and matching shorts.

Hakama. A general term for the wide-legged trousers or pleated, skirt-like garment that is tied at the waist and worn with kimono, except with the yukata. Both men and women wear the hakama on certain Japanese martial arts, like archery, and because it increases the formality of the kimono, men wear it frequently on formal occasions, like tea ceremonies and weddings, and women wear it almost exclusively on graduation ceremonies.

Japanese Kimono Jackets. Consisting of the haori, happi coats, kimono rain coat, and more, Japanese kimono jackets are worn by both and women over a kimono for added warmth, protection, and for enhancing the formal look of your kimono.

Mofuku. A black kimono for men and women that is worn exclusively to a funeral of a close family or friend. It features five (5) family crests and has to be worn with black accessories, except for the undergarment and tabi socks.

Learn more about the History of the Kimono and tips on How to Wear the Kimono and Yukata Robe here on KimonoRobeStore.com.

References:
http://www.kimonodego.com/history_of_kimono.html http://tinyshiny.com/Articles/KimonoJapaneseTraditionalClothing.php http://kidorakujapan.com/wear/women_kimono_kimono.html http://www.petitjapon.com/faqs/fold.html