Kimono

Kimono きもの – 着物 translates literally as ‘thing to wear’ and is an iconic part of Japanese culture.  

Even though the kimono has such an iconic silhouette, it has changed over time in response to social and political changes throughout Japanese history.

The earliest forms of kimono-like garments in Japan were traditional Chinese clothing that were introduced to Japan between 300 and 538. This Chinese influence lessened during the Heian period (794-1185) when Japan stopped sending envoys to the Chinese courts. At this point, the kimono was still only allowed to be worn by the upper classes in Japan!

The basic kimono shape that you will still see today was developed during the Edo period (1603-1867). During this period, merchants had more money to spend, and one area that they were spending it on was their kimono. New techniques in decoration and design started to be used that hadn’t been seen before in Japan.

After Japan’s borders were opened to western trade in 1868, during the Meiji period, western styles of dress became seen as a sign of modernity. Over time the use of the kimono decreased and western clothes became the standard outfits in Japan. However, kimono is still worn today! For formal occasions, like weddings, it is still traditional to wear a kimono. There have also been revivals of kimono styles and fashions, such as the hime 姫 trend, literally translated as princess, which mixes traditional kimono wearing with contemporary western accessories.

Design a Kimono Pattern

Patterns on kimono are not just there to look pretty! The choice of pattern or motif used on kimono is deeply influenced by symbolism and tradition. The final design would be determined by many different factors, such as the time of year, the age of the wearer, and the event you were attending

Create your own kimono design on the template provided.