The word Kimono simply means things to wear and pronounced Kee-mo-no. The plural of Kimono is simply Kimono.The Kimono has had a long history in Japan and the Kimono has changed over time to reflect the society and culture of the period. Today, a Japanese woman usually owns only one Kimono typically. A furosode kimono which is worn for the coming of age ceremony of her nineteenth birthday. For weddings, the complete bridal kimono and kimono apparal is usually rented. Kimono are also very rarely worn as everday clothing anymore. Occasionally, if you go to a small rural town in Japan or one of small islands like Okinawa, you will see the traditional everyday Kimono worn by elders.
Yukata- Summer Cotton Kimono
Yukata is the Japanese summer cottom Kimono. The Yukatais a Japanese summer Kimono worn by both men and women. The name Yukata comes from the word 'Yu" (bath) and "Katabira" (under clothing). Thousands of years ago, Court Nobles wore linen "Yukatabira' which where draped loosely after taking a bath. It gradually become worn by Japanese warriors and then by the general public when the sophisticated Japanese public bath became popular. Today, the traditional Japanese Yukata is widely used for everything from festivals, Ryokan, summer daily wear to simple night attire. In Japan, the Yukata is the most popular daily clothing wear and is beloved for it's 100% lighteweight cotton fabric.
Hakama Pants
Hakama is an outer garment worn over the Kimono that are either split between the legs like pants or non-split like a skirt. Hakama pants originated as an outer garment to protect samurai warriors legs from brush when riding a horse. Today, the Hakama is worn as formal attire for ceremonies, traditional Japanese dance, artists and martial arts.
This is Cathy, Hannah,
Sakina and Sasha dressed in Yukatas.