A symbol of Japanese culture! I will explain about kimono.
Kimono is a traditional Japanese costume that continues to be loved by Japanese people even today. Even today, many people still wear kimono during special events such as festivals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and celebrations.
In Japan, which has four seasons and is surrounded by the ocean and rich in nature, the values and aesthetics that people have cultivated while coexisting with nature are reflected in kimono.
History of Kimono
It is said that the original form of the kimono was introduced from ancient China during the Nara period. In the Heian period, it was used as formal clothing for aristocrats and samurai, and in the Edo period it became popular among commoners.
During the Meiji period, it declined for a time as more and more people started wearing western clothes due to the influence of Western culture, but it regained popularity during the Taisho period, and after the post-war and Showa periods, it now comes in a wide variety of colors. You can see many unique kimonos when you go to kimono stores or shopping malls.
Development of kimono in modern times
In modern times, as the values of kimono change with the passage of time, there is an increasing number of free ways to wear kimonos, such as combining them with innovative coordination while still retaining the original good old style.
Many unique ways of dressing have become accepted, such as wearing a jacket over a kimono, wearing boots instead of geta, and incorporating lace as a material.
Tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Asakusa offer a wide range of kimono experience programs and rental services for tourists, allowing anyone to wear the kimono of their choice at any time.
Rental kimono ~Tekuteku Kyoto Shijo Karasuma store~
The charm of kimonos made in Japan's unique environment
As mentioned at the beginning, Japan is an island country blessed with four seasons and surrounded by rich nature and the sea. Until the Meiji Restoration, Japan was isolated from the rest of the world for a long time, and as there was no cultural exchange with other countries, the Japanese people developed their own unique values and aesthetics.
The patterns and colors of the kimono are typical of the Japanese people who have lived in harmony with nature, and there are many beautiful things that can be described in words, such as patterns with motifs of flowers and plants, and delicate and beautiful dyeing carefully created by craftsmen. is.
The beautiful flowing form of the kimono also reflects the values of the Japanese people, who love straight lines rather than curves.
What are some typical patterns?
In recent years, many characters wearing kimono have appeared in anime works such as One Piece and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and words referring to the pattern have even appeared in dialogue in the works.
So, what kind of patterns are still commonly used today?
Below we will introduce three representative patterns.
1. ~Shochikubai~
Considered to be auspicious patterns in Japan that have been passed down since the Muromachi period, there are the evergreen pine tree, which represents the strength and sparkle of life, the bamboo tree, which grows straight toward the sky, and the plum tree, which is the first beautiful flower to bloom in spring. This pattern is made up of a combination of ``.
2. ~Sakura~
Cherry blossoms are the most familiar flower to Japanese people and are designated as the national flower. People look forward to the blooming every year, as its pale color and ephemerality are a symbol of spring.
There is a theory that the origin of the word sakura comes from ``kura'' (storehouse), where the rice god ``Sa'' resides, and the sakura pattern is an auspicious pattern that prays for a rich harvest and celebrates a new beginning.
3. ~Flowing water pattern~
The flowing water pattern is a pattern that looks both like a painting and like geometry.
This cool pattern is perfect for wearing to summer events such as fireworks displays and fairs.
It is believed that the pure and beautiful running water will wash away hardships and disasters.
Even if we just briefly introduce them, each of them is a traditional pattern that is attractive and imbued with deep meanings and wishes.
There are so many different shapes of patterns in Japan that I can't even list them all, and each one has a wonderful meaning.
summary
This time, we introduced the history and charm of kimono, and mainly the patterns.
Wearing a kimono is a good opportunity to learn about Japanese aesthetic sense and delicacy. When you visit Japan, why not choose a kimono of your choice and take a walk through the good old Japanese streets?
Kyoto trip Kiyomizu-dera | Highlights