from the machi
Tomesode
The tomesode is the most formal kimono for married women. It refers to the kimonos made by cutting and shortening the sleeves of a furisode, typically after marriage. The kanji for “tome” means “to stay”, which is said to refer to a married women staying with her husband’s family. From the late Edo period, the tomesode with its shortened sleeves became the standard wear for married women.
“Tomesode ( 留袖 )” の続きを読む
Edo Komon
This refers to kimonos with subtle stencil-dyed patterns made from tiny dots.
There are 3 distinctive patterns of Edo Komon – Same-komon, Kakutoshi and Gyogi. Same-komon is a sharkskin-like semicircular pattern. Smaller dots make finer patterns, and from a distance, the kimono looks like an iromuji. For Kakutoshi, vertical and horizontal patterns cross each other at right angles while for Gyogi, the lines of dots are crossed obliquely. There are 4 types of craving techniques to make the stencils for these patterns – Tsukibori, Kiribori, Dogubori and Shimahori.
“Edo Komon ( 江戸小紋 )” の続きを読む
Tsukesage
This is a kimono that is considered less formal that a houmongi.
The tsukesage was created during the war as an alternative to the more extravagant houmongi. It is less formal than a houmongi yet ranks higher than a komon, so it can be worn at many different occasions.
“Tsukesage ( 付下げ )” の続きを読む
Omeshi
A crinkled fabric that is difficult to wrinkle and easy to wear. It is also known as omeshi chirimen. Unlike traditional chirimen where the fabric is dyed after weaving, the threads are pre-dyed and the fabric is woven with strongly twisted threads.
“Omeshi ( お召し )” の続きを読む
To know a lot about KIMONO, we need to learn about TAN-MONO(反物) next.
TAN-MONO is simply stated as the fabric roll for KIMONO. It is standardized in the size of about 12 meters length and 36 centi-meters width, which is just for one KIMONO. Any KIMONO is made from such one roll of TAN-MONO.
Do you know what KIMONO definitely means?
KIMONO means Japanese conventional cloth, that is also called WAFUKU or GOFUKU.
In Japan, KIMONO used to be the mainstream until just few decades ago. And along with the popularization of Western clothes, KIMONO taken on a sense of traditional ethnic dress.
As there are many types of Western clothes, KIMONO also includes many types of situational cloth like full-dress suit, business dress, work clothing, stylish garment, daily clothing and loungewear that each have changed with the times.
