The traditional white Japanese wedding kimono is called shiro-maku. Shiro means white and maku means pure. The wedding kimono has two different kimonos in one. The white wedding kimono is worn for the actual ceremony. The second kimono is called uchikake. The uchikake is worn over the white kimono at the wedding reception.

      The uchikake is a bright and colorful kimono and it was originally worn by court nobles in the Edo-era. The kimono is made of silk and silk brocade. It has a lot of embroidered patterns. The uchikake’s patterns are taken from pictures of flowers, cranes, pines, and flower carts. Red is the most popular color for the uchikake kimono, there are many different colors from purple to green. The wedding kimono is sometimes handed down in the family or made into bed cloth.

      In a traditional Japanese wedding the bride’s hair is also made in the traditional hair style called bunkin-takashimada and is decorated with gold combs and accessories called kanzashi. The white wedding kimono has a hood which covers the two front golden comb or horns during the actual ceremony. This symbolizes obedience.

      There are traditional wedding accessories that are worn for tradition and are suppose to bring good luck in the marriage. The bride carries a small hand bag called hakoseko and a small sword called kaiken which are two of the traditions that have to be followed in Japanese weddings. The bride also has a fan which is tucked in the belt of the kimono. The fan is meant to represent happiness and a happy future.

Happi Coats

      Happi coats were originally worn by Japanese shopkeepers as an over coat. The family shop name or symbol was printed on the back of the coat. Today happi coats are still used by some shop keepers but happi coats are also used for many Japanese festivals, parties and in sushi restaurants. 

      Happi coats that are usually used in Japanese festivals are matsuri happi coats that mean "festival" coat. The happi coats come in different styles and colors both imprinted or plain. Some have a kanji symbol on the back which represents luck. Others have an imprinted picture or scenery or they are a print of one or two colors on the back. Matsuri happi coats are always worn over a t-shirt with shorts or pants under.

      Short sleeved happi coats called a taiko happi coat they are used at Japanese festivals by taiko drummers.

Japanese restaurants use a special chef’s happy coat called a hippari. The chef’s happi coat is exactly the same as the traditional coat except it has a small belt that ties inside the coat. The chef wears a t-shirt under it and pants or shorts under.