Concept in Definition ABC

Today Japanese women dress in a suit traditional to celebrate some special moments. Is clothing It is the kimono and until World War II it was the type of female costume used by all Japanese women.

Not all kimonos are the same

There are several types, and their color and type of fabric depend on various circumstances: the age of the women, their civil status, the time of year and the reason of the celebration. It should be noted that kimonos are not exclusive to women, as men also wear them on some occasions.

The uchikake is the wedding dress of Japanese women and it is a silk suit with long sleeves, very bright ornaments and a series of drawings (usually of flowers, Water and cranes).

The shiromuku is the basic model of bridal gowns and is worn under the uchikake. It is a totally white dress.

Young unmarried women wear the kimono known as a furisode. It has very colorful drawings, large in size and with sleeves that reach to the ankles. These are used for the first tea ceremony of each year or to celebrate coming of age. The hikifuroside kimono is used to attend a wedding banquet and is similar to the previous one.

Married women wear a more formal and austere one called kurotomesode. The sleeves reach the wrists and it is black with colored decorations. The older the married woman, the less decorative elements she should have.

It should be noted that there are models for all kinds of circumstances: to attend a funeral, for festivals of summer, for daily use, for informal events and for events of great social importance. On synthesis, it exists for every occasion and for every woman.

This dress is known in the West through geishas

Geishas and apprentices of geishas (the maikos) still exist today, but their number is very small. These women were engaged in entertainment of the samurai warriors, as they were expert dancers, they knew some string instruments, as well as the ritual of sake and tea. Contrary to popular belief, they were not prostitutes, but the real prostitutes dressed like them in silk kimonos.

Photo: Fotolia - juripozzi