From the 3rd Floor: The Kimono Post (Part 1)

It would seem that the extremely hot and dry weather we've had is finally settling down due to spots of rain. I think it's great. It was very hard to survive that weather in a house with no air-conditioning. Thankfully, I had a one week break and went back to my hometown, where my room has an air-con. After that, it was back to sauna conditions and reality.

I have decided to make my blog more informative. Therefore, from now onwards, there will be editorials on interesting subjects (a.k.a. subjects that Michelle likes).

Here we go...

Kimono, The Misconseptions Cleared(part 1 )

The months of June to August is summertime in Japan, and also the season of various celebrations like the many Matsuris, Ennichi and Bon Odori (Obon dances). Usually, these festivals are marked by street side stalls selling foods like candied apples, takoyaki ( sotong-in-batter balls), etc. as well as games like goldfish scooping and fireworks display.

In Malaysia, the Japan club organizes a Bon Odori in Shah Alam every year around 15th July, and this year will mark the 33rd time the Bon Odori will be held.

Bon Odori, Shah Alam, 2006. (Credit: Kurogane Anime Blogger)

For summer festivals, the Japanese usually wear a yukata. Confused? I'll explain..

Kimono is a general term in Japanese meaning 'clothing'. There are many types and they are worn for different occasions.

In this part, I'll talk only on the yukata, the summer kimono.

Yukata are usually made of thin cotton material, and is unlined (just means that it doesn't have an extra layer of cloth sewn underneath),unlike normal kimono like the furisode, tomesode and homongi which are made of heavier fabric and is lined with satin or cotton.

A furisode kimono.

Cotton yukata with hanhaba obi.

The obi or belt is called a hanhaba(half-width) obi because it is usually about 18cm in width, unlike normal obi which is about 35cm in width. Hanhaba obi are usually found in one colour without elaborate designs.

Hanhaba obi ( Credits: Shimazakura.com)

A normal width maru obi, which is folded half before wearing.

The most common way to tie the hanhaba obi when wearing a yukata is the bunko bow style.

Here's another variation, called the aoi style

In these modern times, there are also pre-tied (instant?)obis, known as Tsukuri obi:

Yukata worn by younger unmarried women and young children are brightly coloured with large flower prints, whilst older married women like to wear subdued colours and designs, like dark blue with white prints etc. Examples of subdued designs favoured by the older generation.

Examples of designs for younger women.

Men's yukata and obi are simpler, and are usually dark earth colours like navy blue,white, black and beige (regardless of wearer's age):

Men and boys sometimes wear a jinbei (or hippari) to summer festivals. It consists of a knee-length shorts and coat.

Although the jinbei is meant for men and young boys, it is sometimes worn by kids of both sexes as well as young women, who wear them in bright floral designs.