Kimono simply means 'thing to wear'. Its a wonderful peice of clothing, adaptable and attractive. There are many,many types of kimono.Below are the basic ones:
Tomesode (toe-may-sew-day)
Tomesode is a formal kimono with designs along the bottom.
It's worn by women at formal parties or ceremonies,
such as marriage ceremonies of relatives. It's equivalent to evening dress of Western clothes.
There are "Kuro-Tomesode (Black-Tomesode)", and "Iro-Tomesode (Colour-Tomesode)".
"Kuro-tomesode" is worn by only married women. It is the most formal kimono for married women. It has 5 family crest (mon).
"Iro-Tomesode" is worn by unmarried and married women.
With 5 family crest it is formal, but 3 or 1 crest are also possible.
Houmongi (hoe-ooh-mong-e)
Houmongi is a semi-formal kimono with designs from shoulder to bottom.
It's worn by women on formal visits, like wedding parties,
tea ceremonies, formal date, and so on. It's equivalent to smart Western clothes.
Houmongi was born as a Japanese visiting dress, at the latter part of 19 century.
"Houmon" means "visiting", and "Gi" means "wear".
The designs of Houmongi is a design that doesn't stop at the seams.
Such designs need a high level of skill and are therefor costly.
Tsukesage (t as in tooth - sue-kay-sar-g)
Tsukesage is more informal than Houmomgi.
But recently, Tsukesage is becoming more elegant.
Iro-muji (e-row-moo-g)
Iro-muji is a semi-formal kimono with no-design.
It has no design or pattern, except base pattern of the silk.
"Muji" means "plain" or "solid", and "Iro" means "color".
Black and plain kimono is distinguished from "Iro-muji".
(Black and plain kimono are used as mourning dress.)
It's worn by women at parties or occassions such as tea ceremonies, meetings, eating out etc.
Komon (co-mon)
Komon is a casual kimono with patterns all over. It's very popular as townwear. It's worn by women for going out, casual parties, and so on.
"Ko" means "small", and "Mon" means "pattern".
Tsumugi (t as in tooth-sue-moo-g)
Tsumugi is a daily or working kimono that is woven by unevenly spun silk thread.
It's popular as a daily wear or townwear. It's worn for daily life, going out, etc. It's equivalent to denim of Western clothes.
It began as farmer's daily or working clothes in the Edo period.
It is considered casual, even if it is very expensive and high-quality.
In the Tenpou period [1830-1843] of Edo-age [1603-1867],
the Tokugawa Shogunate government prohibited any extravagance.
The production and wearing of silk kimono was prohibited too. Because Tsumugi is woven with waste silk thread, and looks like cotton, the government permitted the wearing of Tsumugi and it became popular.
Some fashionable people in Edo found Tsumugi chic. Requiring a lot of time and effort to make the Tsumugi is usually sold in a high-price.
(Only when men wear the Tsumugi with family crests, it will be classes as formal wear.)
Omeshi ~(o-may-she)
Omeshi is made of Chirimen (silk crepe). Usually, Chirimen is dyed after weaving.
However, Omeshi is woven after dyeing. it is becoming increasingly less popular.
You can usually find find them classes as antique kimono.
"Omeshi" means a noble parson puts on clothes. Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa Shogun loved this textile, Omeshi is the highest class kimono in woven kimono.
Generally, woven kimono are considered as casual. However, if the pattern or design is a noble style, you might be able to use Omeshi as semi-formal.
More kimono types and accessories
AMA COAT
A coat for Kimono which is worn on the rainy day.
AWASE
Awase is a type of Kimono which has an inner and outer layer. Lined Kimono.
CHIRIMEN
Chirimen is a type of fabric which has tiny wrikles all over. When Chirimen is woven, normally non-twisted thread is used vertically and strongly twisted thread is used holizontally. Chirimen Kimono is recommended to wear Oct through May.
CHUUYAOBI
It is a type of Obi which is made with 2 different fabrics for the front and back.
DATEERI
Dateeri is a collar which can be inserted beneath the Kimono to create a elegant layered look.
DATEJIME/MAGIC BELT
Datejime is a flat wide cloth which is tied below the bust to stablize the area. One for "Nagajuban" and one for "Kimono" is normally used. If the datejime has a velcro closer, it is also celled magic belt. We recommend this magic belt because it is easy to use and less knot around the waist.
EBAMOYOU
The dyeing style which has the connected design from the shoulder, arm, okumi, eri (collar), and sode (sleeve). The whole Kimono looks like a canvas of one big piece of art. This design style is often used for "Furisode".
EDOKOMON
A type of Komon which has very tiny design all over the Kimono. Because the desgin is so small, it looks like "Iromuji" from a distance.
ERISHIN
Erishin is put through in between "Haneri" sown on to the "Nagajuban" to make the Eri (collar) a nicer shape.
FUKURO-OBI
Fukuro-obi is a type of Obi. The front side has a design and the back side is plain. The width is 30cm (11.8") and the length is 4.2m (165"). It is normally a very thick Obi. It is a formal Obi.
FURISODE
Furisode is a highest rank Kimono for unmarried young women. Furisode has very long sleeves. It can be worn to the wedding, seijinshiki (celebration to become an adult), graduation, etc...
GETA
Geta is the sandals for the Yukata. It looks like flip-flops with a wooden sole and heels (some are with vinyl) and fabric straps. For some Geta, a rubber sole is also attached to prevent the wooden heels to be shaved by rubbing on the ground. At first, you may get discomfort wearing Geta due to its design. As you wear it more often, the fabric will be softened and you will be able to wear it without discomfort.
HADAJUBAN
It is a underwear for Kimono. This is the first thing to put when you wear a Kimono.
"Hadajuban" ---> "Nagajuban" ---> "Kimono"
HANERI
Haneri is a collar that is sown on to the "Nagajuban" to avoid the Kimono collar to get dirty.
HANHABA-OBI
Hanhaba-Obi is a very casual Obi which is often worn with a Yukata. Its width is half the size compared with other types of Obi. han = half , haba = width
HEKO-OBI
It is a type of Obi which has shibori and it is very soft. It is considered as a casual obi and often worn by children with their yukata and also by men with a casual Kimono.
HOUMONGI
Houmongi is a type of Kimono which has designs in the bottom, shoulder, and the sleeve. This Kimono can be worn to the places such as graduation party, wedding, etc...
IKOU
Ikou is a Japanese Kimono stand. Some of them are just wooden stand alone called "Tsuitate" style and other can be folded in half like "Byobu".
IROMUJI
A Type of Kimono which only has one tone color.
JIIRO
A main color of the "Kimono".
JINBEE/JINBEI
Jinbei is a very casual summer Kimono. It has a short sleeve top and medium length shorts.Jinbei can be worn outside or inside as a pajama. Since Jinbei is very comfortable to wear, it is a very popular summer clothing in Japan. It is also considered as the most preferred outfit to wear, when they want to relax and drink some beer on the patio deck on a hot sunny day!! It is originally worn by male and children however nowadays, some females have started to wear it also.
JUBAN
An Undergarment of Kimono. The first thing you wear is called "Hadajuban" and the next thing you wear is "Nagajuban" or "Hanjuban".
KANZASHI
Kanzahi is a women's Hair piece worn with a Kimono or Yukata.
KITAKE
Kitake is the Kimono length when you are actually wearing it. It measured from the shoulder top to the bottom. For female, Kitake is a "Mitake" - "Ohashori" length.
KITSUKE
Kitsuke is a process of wearing a Kimono or to be put it on by someone else.
KOHAZE
Kohaze is a small metal hook attached to "Tabi".
KOMON
Komon is a type of Kimono which has a same pattern design all over it. It is considerd as a casual Kimono.
KOSHIHIMO
Koshi = waist. Himo=rope. Koshihimo is a long thin cloth tied around the waist to hold "Juban" and "Kimono". Normally, 2 or 3 Koshihimos are used to wear Kimono however many Kimono masters only use 1.
KOUBAIORI
It is the style of the weaving. A thick yarn is woven between thin yarns, vertically or horizontally, in order to make uneven surface on the fabric. This type of fabric is light weight. It also helps you stay comfortable because the uneven surface helps the wind to go through the fabric.
MARU-OBI
It is a type of Obi which is made with a wide Obi folded in half and a core is inserted. It is considered as very formal and mostly worn by the bride at the wedding. This obi as designs on the front and back. Extremely gorgeous Obi.
MITAKE
Mitake is a length of Kimono which is measured from the top of the shoulder to the bottom of Kimono.
MOFUKU
Mofuku is plain black Kimono with 5 crests which is worn at the funeral. Accessories such as Obi and Obijime should be black also.
MON (KAMON)
Mon is a crest which shows the House Hold's noble. The amount of Mon on the Kimono will change the rank of the Kimono. It is 1, 3 or 5 Mons on the Kimono. 5 Mon Kimono is being the heighest rank Kimono.
NAGAJUBAN
It is a long undergarment for Kimono. It is worn over the "Hadajuban" and underneath the "Kimono". The Purpose of wearing Nagajuban is to avoid the Kimono getting dirty and stained from the sweat etc... You attach the "Haneri" to the "Nagajuban" collar for this reason.
NAGOYA-OBI
It is a type of Obi which is considered as somewhat casual. This Obi is used to make "Otaiko-Musubi". Besides actual "Otaiko" part of the Obi is folded in half for easy wear.
OBIAGE
A long piece of cloth which is used to keep the shape of "Obi" knot. It also decorates the Obi since it can be seen above the Obi.
OBIDOME
Obidome is the only accessory normally worn with a Kimono. "Obijime" is put through the small jewely,Obidome, and together they will decolate the "Obi".
OBIITA / MAEITA
Obiita is a long circular thin plate which is inserted inbetween "Kimono" and "Obi" to keep "Obi" neat.
OBIJIME
A long string (rope) which is used to keep the "Obi" stable. It also decorates the Obi since it is tied on top of the Obi.
OBIMAKURA
Obimakura is used when you tie into "Otaiko Musubi".
A Larger Obimakura is recommended for young people and smaller Obimakura is recommended older people.
ROUKETSUZOME
It is a dying technique using the heated and melted wax.
RYAKUREISOU
Ryakureisou is a type of clothing which is very formal next to the "Seireisou". It does not have to follow the strict customs as much as "Seireisou".
SEISHIKIREISOU
Type of clothing which is worn to the very formal events such as wedding and funeral. Seishikireisou is worn to show the respect and honor to the customs.
Examples for Seishikireisou are "Furisode", "Tomesode", and "Mofuku".
SHIBORI
A type of dye technique. The fabric is pinched, sown, or tie up when its dyed to create this uneven yet unique patterned design. Shibori is considered as very gorgeous and high status. Full Shibori "Kimono" and "Obi" can be very pricey.
SHITSUKE
Shitsu is to sew the Kimono roughly in order to avoid the garment being wrinkle or to make it easier to do the final sewing. The Shitsuke Ito (thread) is supposed to be cut off before wearing the Kimono. ***Dependingon the type of the shitsuke style, you may be able to leave the thread attached.
SODE
Sleeve.
SUSOYOKE
Susoyoke is a long wrapping skirt which is worn on top of the underwear to avoid showing your legs when you walk or move around and also to move the legs easily.
TABI (SOCKS)
Tabi is a sock for Kimono. Tabi separates the big toe from the other toes.
TAIKO-MUSUBI
It is a style of tying an Obi. With Taiko-musubi, you will have a large square bow on the back.
TANMONO
Tanmono is a Kimono fabric which length is right enough to make one Kimono. Average Tanmono is 14.5" in width and 492" in length.
TATOUSHI
Tatoushi is a special Japanese paper which is used to wrap the Kimono to prevent the damage from the moisture and moth etc...
TSUKESAGE
Tsukesage is a type of Kimono which has design stating from body, sode (sleeve), eri (collar) spread toward the shoulder.
TSUKURI-OBI
It is a flat belt with a pre-tied bow. It is recommended for someone who is new to Kimono or someone who wants to spend less time to wear Kimono. With this Obi, You do not have to struggle to make a perfect bow shape, or to worry about the bow getting loose or uneven. Because of its ease, it is getting very popular.
YUKATA
Yukata is considered as a Summer Kimono or a Casual Kimono, which is shaped similar to a robe. Japanese Yukata is made of cotton or linen for comfort. You might see some 'Yukatas' made of satin like fabric all over the internet. Those are NOT authentic "JAPANESE" Yukatas. Yukata is worn by men and women, Boys and girls.
YUUZEN
Yuuzen is a very colorful and artistic dying technique or the fabric made with this technique. The name Yuuzen came from the first creator who was from Kyoto , Yuuzen Miyazaki.There are 3 types obi Yuuzen. "Kyou Yuuzen", "Kaga Yuuzen", and "Edo Yuuzen". Yuuzen which was made using a pattern is called "Kata Yuuzen" and hand painted Yuuzen is called "Hon Yuuzen".
