04/05/07

Rich

Men

       The basic clothing item in a noble men's everyday wardrobe is the kimono, which for men normally has an outer and inner layer. Heavier kimonos were worn in the winter, while lighter kimonos were worn in the summer. In fact, there are ceremonial days where winter kimonos were exchanged for their summer kimonos, traditionally on the 1st day of the Fourth Month. A samurai's kimono would normally be made of silk, not only for its feel but for it's coolness in the hot Japanese summers.  Bright colors and outlandish patterns were usually always avoided or put on for show of disrespect. On the same token, women of royal families tended to wear kimono layers and colors dependant upon the station and/or power of their husband. Samurai children, however, wore there kimonos by age and by power. When they get past an age of puberty they tend to lean towards the grey and dark colours.

Women

         In Japan these days noble ladies always wear kimonos. They only wear difficult or extraordinary kimonos when wedding or ceremonies are on. For noble ladies a kimono is like an extension of themselves. A kimono is a robe like garment tied with a stiff material sash in the back called an obi. Their kimono's are usually really brightly coloured and have a lot of scenery photography printed on them. The kimonos have long sleeves when first born but when you get to the age of puberty or marriage age you wear a kimono with short sleeves to symbolize you for marriage age. The kimonos also always change colours through out the seasons. They have outfits for each seasons and those outfits have different poetic names to help identify them. noble women never ever wear cotton kimonos it is always elegant silk.

Poor

Men and Women

       In Japan poor people are only allowed to wear cheap kimono's. These kimonos are really cheap and they are made out of cheap cotton. They are always long sleeved and very thick. They have it in many different colours but all of the colours are really dull or very dark. They are all dark because in Japan if you wear a really dark kimono that means that you are in a poor state or you are in a really poor status. This also gives people of the public to donaite clothes for the poor people to wear.