Japan Facts ; Kimonos

One of the most popular Japan facts is that Kimonos are one of the integral arts of the Japanese culture and history. Even now, in a century that is not so modestly laced with technology, kimonos can be easily spotted in a shoutengai, major department store, or roaming around the parks and areas of Japan that cater to onsen (hot springs) dwellers. That isn't to say that these kimonos are wandering around by themselves. They are frequently worn by women who hold the old traditions and values in check, as well as by some of the younger generation that are beginning to show a renewed interest in their culture and roots. So needless to say, kimonos are a very important to Japan and show no sign of changing along the lines that the modern buildings and conveniences have.

Although when most people think of kimonos they commonly picture young women wearing them, kimonos were originally designed to be worn by men, women, and children. Because of the way that Japan was influenced by the rest of the world and they way some of the Japanese people are moving away from traditional customs, very few men and children are seen wearing these kimonos in public. One of the reasons why the Japanese people gradually began to abandon the kimonos over time is unfortunately due to the work that is involved in putting on a kimono.

Back in the Heian Period 794-1185, on average, putting on one kimono meant dressing in 12 layers of robes! Each robe was strategically folded in such a way that you would be able to see the colors and patterns of all 12 through the sleeves and collars. If that doesn't sound like a lot of work for the average person, members of the royal court were known to wear up to 16 layers of robes! Needless to say, once the military class and warriors rose to power, the need and desire for kimonos eventually gave way to practicality. This is when the kosode (small sleeve) was designed into the kimono to make it more functional for the times.

The Edo Period is where the kimonos really began to take on an artistic edge. A person's status was defined by the style and quality of the kimono and had great importance in Tokyo at the time. But as more women began to enter the workforce during the Meiji Period, the number of people wearing kimonos dropped significantly. Kimonos just weren't very accommodating or flexible for everyday work and weren't acceptable where uniforms or work wear was required.

One of the first things that a visitor might want to do when visiting Japan is to try on a kimono. Considering how difficult it looks and how long it takes to put one on, a lot of people give up within a few frustrated minutes. It's reassuring to know that instructional videos do exist that show you exactly how to go about getting properly done up in one. I know of a couple of non-Japanese female friends that really wanted to try a kimono on but were too embarrassed to ask for help. Well, maybe these simple 6 steps in order to make the process a lot easier for those of you who would like to give it a try.

• l The first thing that you should do is put on the white tabi socks. It may sound strange to go to the effort of putting on the socks first but you'll be a lot happier not having to bend over once you've got the kimono properly in place.
• l Next, put on the white undershirt and skirt, or the juban. Or if you find those to be too hot or uncomfortable, you can cheat by simply wearing a white collar called the eri-sugata.
• l Now it's time to put on the kimono. Make sure that the back seam is centered and the kimono itself is evenly balanced on your shoulders.
• l This step is very important and applies to both men and women! Be absolutely sure that you wrap the right side of the kimono around your body, and then use the left side to overlap it. If you were to do this in reverse (wrapping the left first and then overlapping with the right) it would mean that you are dressing a corpse for burial. And you don't want to make that mistake I'm sure.
• l Fix the white collar so that it is evenly displayed around the neck, below the kimono.
• l Tie the obi (the great big sash) into a bow (there are many different types of bows so you can decide which suits you best) and turn it around to the back. Alternatively, you can buy an obi which has already been permanently stitched together into a bow so you only need to tie it. And you're done!

Now all you need to do is grab a set of getas (wooden sandals), and a matching drawstring bag, and you're off!

What is a yukata? It's the summer variation of the standard kimono and is worn by both men and women during festivals, at onsens, or just for fun while shopping. One of the most shocking encounters I had with these beautifully styled robes was when I attended the Gion Festival in Kyoto. The streets were literally swarming with more people than I could possibly count. To give you a ballpark figure on the attendance of this festival, a friend of mine claimed that an average of 4 million people will have visited Kyoto by the end of the festival that lasts for most of July. So imagine a good 60-70% of those people wearing yukatas! Paints quite a picture, doesn't it? Unlike the kimonos that are only seen worn by women nowadays, even men feel comfortable strolling down the streets in their more casually printed yukatas and clacking getas.

The summer festivals are the best places to get really great photos of people wearing yukatas. Most Japanese people will happily pose for a photo or two if you ask them. Considering that yukatas are easier to wear than the usual kimono, are lighter, and not as expensive, it's not too hard to imagine why so many people enjoy wearing them. And on top of those reasons, they are very attractive and artistic. You'd find it quite a challenge to find two identical yukatas at the same festival. Or nearly impossible according to my experience. These festivals are the perfect time for non-Japanese people to see what it's like to wear one as well. A good deal of foreigners in Japan confidently mingle around the food stalls that are always present at these times, magnificently clad in their favored yukata and braving the long walk in those lightweight - yet somewhat awkward - getas.

Shopping in Japan for gifts to bring home (or ship home) to family members can be very mind boggling, especially if you don't really know what they like or would want to receive. Buying a kimono might be out of your price range and the yukata might look nice but there's always the problem of having nowhere to wear it. So what should you do? How about settling for a brightly patterned happi coat instead? Happi coats were traditionally worn by shop keepers and are shorter, more casual robes that used to have the family crest printed on the back. You can still spot people wearing them at festivals, sushi restaurants, or even casually while shopping in the summer. These are usually very easy to find in tourist shopping areas such as Nara or Kyoto and are very loose, which means they'll fit most people. Since they can be worn indoors or outdoors, they serve their purpose well over a nightgown, pajamas, or a t-shirt and shorts, or look rather unique on a stroll down the street in a country other than Japan. The men's happi coats can be plain and subtle in style or have outrageously brave embroidery on the back sporting dragons or phoenixes. The women's on the other hand tend to be covered in beautiful cherry blossom scenes or graceful cranes. You don't even have to go out of your way to find one because popular stores such as Yodobashi Camera carry them in a section that caters to tourists at competitive prices.

If you are feeling festive and wish to bring back a family member or friend a yukata, buying one has never been easier. Since they are lighter and easier to put on than kimonos, just about anybody would delight in the experience of putting one on and taking some outdoor pictures in it. Although yukatas aren't as expensive as kimonos, they still do come in different price ranges. For those of you looking for something affordable, attractive, and containing a coordinating obi belt, you might find just what you're looking for in Uniqlo. Not only do they have a very extensive selection in prints and colors, but they also sell sizes specifically made for children. The kids would probably have a blast running around the yard in their very own miniature yukata.

Visiting an onsen (hot springs) and wearing a yukata are a big part of experiencing the Japanese culture firsthand. It's hard to explain the thrill of speeding down a gravelly path in the countryside at top speed while wearing a yukata and peddling desperately with those slippery getas. You'd really need to test it out for yourself to fully enjoy the experience. Most hot springs have free bicycle rentals, allowing you to explore the area to your heart's content at all hours of the night. And it isn't such an odd sight to see the cyclist wearing a yukata (more commonly) or sometimes a happi coat with matching shorts.

Now wearing a yukata for the first time might seem like a daunting task, especially once you realize that the length is significantly longer than your actual height. This means that you're going to see it bunching up underneath your feet on the floor and begin to panic. Even though the yukata is easier to put on than a kimono, quite a few people - Japanese as well - fumble over the process. That's why trying it on at an onsen is a good place to start. The staff there are well trained in assisting their visitors with both yukatas and kimonos and are asked for a helping hand often so don't be afraid to ask. Better yet, some ryokans (Japanese style inns), whether or not they have an onsen nearby, let you borrow a yukata at no extra charge. So plan your picture-taking around a stay at a ryokan and have fun dressing up in an authentic yukata that will be professionally arranged for you.

Maybe you've already tried on a yukata and own a happi coat and want to move onto something a bit more complicated. If so, then it's time to take a trip to Kyoto to start looking into kimonos. There are places that offer the service of dressing you up in a kimono (this service seems to be aimed more at women than men) and will even do your hair, makeup, and supply matching accessories to go with it. Part of this service can involve walking around the scenic sites of Kyoto in order to have your picture taken. Kyoto is thought of as being one of Japan's more traditional cities in that you'll see quite a few people dressed up in kimonos, yukatas, and happi coats all year round. Many people shop for a kimono in Kyoto because there are a lot of shops that specialize in making them. Some of these shops are family owned businesses and have been around for generations so if you really want a high quality kimono that has been designed by a skilled maker, then Kyoto is the place to be.

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