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Are there different types and styles of kimono?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Feb 28, 2026

Are there different types and styles of kimono?

There are actually three different furisode kimono types with different sleeve lengths; the Kofurisode (???) with short sleeves, the Chu-furisode (???) with medium sleeves and the Ofurisode(???) with sleeves almost reaching the ground. Ofurisode is the most common furisode kimono type and is the most formal.

Correspondingly, what is the difference between a kimono and yukata?

A kimono has a soft, full-width collar; whereas a yukata has a half-width and stiffer collar, due to the material it is made from. In addition, a kimono typically has at least two collars, one close to the neck and one just below called a juban collar. A yukata only has one collar as a juban collar isn't worn below.

Additionally, what is a male kimono called? Men kimono. Men kimono is a generic word like clothing. There are many different types of kimono for men. The very informal type is called Yukata. It is made of cotton and worn mainly to Festivals/Matsuri, or relaxing in Traditional Inns/Ryokan in the summer.

Moreover, what are kimono sleeves called?

Kimono FrontAccording to tradition, younger maidens wear colorful kimono with longer sleeves, called furisode (??), while married or older women wear tomesode (??), simpler, usually black, kimono with normal-length sleeves.

What does Furisode mean?

Furisode are the most formal style of kimono worn by unmarried women in Japan. The furisode is made of very fine, brightly colored silk, and is commonly rented or bought by parents for their daughters to wear when celebrating Coming of Age Day the year they turn 20.

What do you wear under a kimono?

When wearing a kimono, you are expected to wear a "hadajuban" and "koshimaki" directly on your naked skin (the "juban" comes over those). Traditionally, you don't wear panties, but nowadays most women do.

What is a Chinese kimono called?

The jūnihitoe (???) is a set of formal and highly complex kimono garments worn only by court-ladies in Japan. It was also derived from the Chinese hanfu. The term jūnihitoe is the common name rather than the formal name for the set of clothing and accouterments that are worn together.

How much does it cost to buy a kimono?

An average wool kimono costs around $240, one of cotton is about $40. Silk, inevitably, is more expensive, costing about $245 for a kimono's worth of machine-printed fabric for everyday wear and around $800 for an average formal kimono.

Why is a kimono worn?

Originally, "kimono" was the Japanese word for clothing. They were also suitable for all weather: They could be worn in layers to provide warmth in winter, and kimonos made of breathable fabric such as linen were comfortable in summer. These advantages helped kimonos become part of Japanese people's everyday lives.

Can a man wear a kimono?

Traditional Kimono for men

Kimono are worn by both men and women. For formal occasions, men wear a montsuki, which is a formal black silk kimono worn over a white under-kimono and hakama, traditional Japanese trousers.

What is the thing on the back of a kimono?

Obi (?, ??) is a sash for traditional Japanese dress, keikogi (uniforms for Japanese martial arts), and part of kimono outfits.

What color kimono should you wear?

A decade ago, it was said that wearing Pink color Kimono is only for young women and wearing grey is for elderly women.

What is Akimono?

What is a Kimono? Derived from the words ki (“wear”) and mono (“thing”), the kimono is a traditional Japanese garment. Kimonos come in a range of styles and patterns. They are typically hand-sewn into a “T” shape from 4 single pieces of fabric called tans and tied with an obi, or belt.

Can I wear a kimono if I'm not Japanese?

During the Summer people like wearing yukata and you can often see non Japanese locals wearing them. Your biggest concern will be to find geta or zori your size. Yes, you can. There are many kimono store or photo studio where you can try wearing kimono in Japan for foreigners or visitors.

What do kimono colors mean?

Shōjōhi (red) kimono. Photo: Courtesy of PIE International. Known as a sacred color, red represents life's vitals: the dawn, fire, and blood. Taking its name from a mythological ape-like sea spirit with a red face and a taste for wine, this vivid vermillion is derived from the cacti-chomping cochineal bug.

What does a black kimono mean?

The kuro part of the name means black. These are extremely formal kimono for a married woman and would be suitable to wear to the wedding of your children. These kinds of kimono commonly have mons on them, and the more mons means the more formal.

What does a kimono symbolize?

Kimono symbolism

Believed to live for a thousand years and to inhabit the land of the immortals, it is a symbol of longevity and good fortune.

Can I wear a kimono?

Overall, Japanese people generally embrace foreigners wearing kimonos. Many foreigners wear them, some Japanese may feel it “looks a bit off” (usually due to improper fitting or stereotyping), but generally people are positive that foreigners are trying out something in their culture. Very few people are offended.

Why are kimonos so expensive?

The biggest reason for relatively high cost of even the most casual kimonos is: they cannot be mass produced effectively. The structure of the garment is such that the vast majority of seams and edges cannot be sewn by machine: they are finished and often also attached with blind stitches.

How much does a geisha kimono cost?

Fabric price depends on quality, design and dye process. An average wool kimono costs around $240, one of cotton is about $40. Silk, inevitably, is more expensive, costing about $245 for a kimono's worth of machine-printed fabric for everyday wear and around $800 for an average formal kimono.

Why do kimonos have holes under the arms?

It's only for women's kimono. Men's kimono don't have that slit. Because women wear their belts(obi) at a higher position than men, they need that slit to give their arms wider range of motion. Because women have an upheave on their breast, they need that slit to allow a rectangle shaped cloth fit their body.

Why do kimonos have big sleeves?

This one dates from the late 1600s. The longer sleeves in present-day kimonos owe its existence to the evolution of fashion during the Edo period. Therefore, the sleeves of children's clothing are always made bigger and free-hanging to improve circulation and keep the children cool.

What is a Japanese Haori?

The Haori (??) is a traditional Japanese hip- or thigh-length kimono-style jacket, worn over a kosode. The haori does not close like the yukata, but is worn open or kept closed by a string that connects the lapels.

Are yukata for men?

Yukata are worn by men and women. Like other forms of traditional Japanese clothing, yukata are made with straight seams and wide sleeves. For men, an optional hat may also be worn to protect the head from the sun. Yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes, although their use is not limited to after-bath wear.

When did Japanese stop wearing kimono?

Eventually, however, the complexity of kimono-wearing and the cumbersome sandals they required became a hindrance. Kimono fell out of fashion during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the government encouraged people to adopt Western clothing styles.

Who wears yukata?

Yukata are the most casual form of kimono, which means they are very easy to put on. The most important thing to remember is that both women and men wear yukata in the “right-front” (migi-mae) style. This simply means that, for someone looking at you, the right-hand collar should be in front of the left-hand one.

How do you wear a kimono respectfully?

Walk from your knees, not your hips, so you don't pull the front panels apart and expose your legs. LEARN HOW TO USE THE BATHROOM IN KIMONO (lift the kimono, then lift the juban; when you're finished, drop them in reverse order).

What is an obi knot?

Obi is the Japanese word for sash, and an obi knot is the traditional style of knot for the thick belt or sash worn with judo, aikido and karate martial arts uniforms. Obi knots are also traditional types of Japanese clothing such as kimonos, Hakama skirts, and Yukata kimonos.

What is a Hakima?

A hakama is the skirt-like pants that some Aikidoka wear. It is a traditional piece of samurai clothing. The standard gi worn in Aikido as well as in other martial arts such as Judo or Karate was originally underclothes. Wearing it is part of the tradition of (most schools of) Aikido.

How do men wear haori?

Though the traditional way to wear a haori is to leave it open as a jacket, you can wear your haori coat with a belt. Place it over your favorite base shirt and bottom or dress and then add a belt for a cinched look. Wearing the haori this way is similar to wearing a belt with a sweater, dress, or shirt.

What is Shiromuku?

Shiromuku is a wedding kimono originally worn at weddings in samurai families, the shiromuku has become one type of wedding kimono worn by brides in Japan. White has symbolized the sun's rays since ancient times, and from the Heian period, pure white bridal kimonos became prized.

Do you sleep in yukata?

Yukata function both as a bathrobe and loungewear, which can be worn at all times during your stay, including to the bath, to both dinner and breakfast, and to bed as sleepwear.

Is kimono a Japanese word?

Kimono, or literally “the thing to wear” refers to a Japanese traditional outfit. The standard plural of the word kimono in English is “kimonos”, but the unmarked Japanese plural kimono is also sometimes used. Today, the kimono is most often worn by women, and on special occasions.

What is a Juban?

Juban is a type of underwear which you wear under your kimono, but is very important because it forms the fundamental part of your kimono. For formal kimonos, it is a custom to wear white juban, but other than that there is no particular rules.

What is a Nagajuban?

Nagajuban is a simple robe of cotton or synthetic silk that goes under your kimono. It's essentially underwear that reduces your kimono cleaning problems. Cleaning kimono is a complex and expensive task. In many cases, the kimono needs to be disassembled for cleaning.

What is a Furisode in Japan?

A furisode (??, "swinging sleeves") is a style of kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves, which range in length from 85 centimeters for a kofurisode (???, lit., "short swinging sleeve") to 114 centimeters for an ōfurisode (???, lit., "large furisode").

What do you wear with hakama?

Hakama can be worn with any type of kimono except yukata (light cotton summer kimono generally worn for relaxing, for sleeping, or at festivals or summer outings). While striped hakama are usually worn with formal kimono, stripes in colours other than black, grey and white may be worn with less formal wear.

What is a Tomesode kimono?

Tomesode (??) is a type of kimono. It is a formal dress worn by married women. Originally, there was a custom that the long sleeves of the Furisode were shortened after marriage, thereby creating Tomesode.

What is Montsuki?

Mon-tsuki is a formal kimono with family crests. It's worn by men on formal parties or ceremonies, like marriage ceremonies of family or relative. Also it's worn for funeral. "Mon" means "family crest", and "Tsuki" means "putting on".

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