The Japanese Kimono - Styles for Various Occasions

Most people are familiar with Japanese kimono. They are world-renown for their beauty and craftsmanship. For those interested in wearing kimono, you'll need to know which kimono to wear for various occasions.

First, here is a listing of some of the various types of kimono. Please note there are more, and lots of information to learn about obi and kimono accessories, but this is a good list to get the basics down.

KIMONO:
Furisode
Homongi
Komon
Mofuku
Omeshi
Shiromuku
Tomesode
Uchikake
Yukata

Now you can group these into formal and casual wear.

Formal wear kimono would include Furisode, Homongi, Mofuku, Tomesode, and Uchikake. For married women, the Tomesode is the most formal of the kimono. Yes, your marital status even plays into the choice for kimono wear. For formal wear for single gals - choose the Furisode or Homongi.

For a wedding, the bride will wear specific bridal kimono -- definitely a formal event. These kimono are Shiromuku and the outer kimono, called the Uchikake. Shiromuku are white kimono (Shiro means "white) while the outer kimono, the Uchikake is very colorful and heavily decorated. My wedding Uchikake is red with beautifully embroidered gold cranes and colorful chrysanthemum. A special obi is worn for weddings as well as a white headpiece. Black Tomesode are worn to weddings by family members, or they are worn to other very formal events. Those attending a wedding as a guest can wear the colored Tomesode or Furisode. Funeral kimono are called Mofuku (this is for the living mourners to wear). For the deceased, the kimono is worn right over left, instead of left over right. Death is the only time kimono is worn right over left.

For more casual wear, you should select a Omeshi, cotton yukata, or wool kimono. You will need to select less formal obi to wear with yukata and casual wear. Do not select gold embroidered obi for wear with your yukata.

Here are two fantastic books on kimono for further reference.
1. The Book of Kimono by Norio Yamanka
2. Kimono, by Liza Dalby

It truly is a pleasure wearing kimono, but be prepared to invest some time into learning how to wear them, and all the accessories that go with a kimono. But with a little effort you'll learn the pleasure of wearing Japanese kimono!

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