By: Alex S. and Gabrielle M.

A kimono is a garment worn by both men and women.

It is a long flowing robe worn with a sash. It was known as the typical Japanese

costume starting around the 14th and 15th centuries.

Men and women’s Kimono’s were distinguished by cut and color.

For informal wear, during the summer, sleeping, and after bathing a soft cotton Kimono called a yukata was worn.

During the Nara periods, men wore black trousers and silk tunics with a colorful flowery silk robe.

The upper garment was a jacket that flared over the hips. Men wore it over wide pants.

Trousers and silk tunics were worn for riding and outside activities.

For indoors and informal wear men would wear a long robe with a sash around the waist

In the Nara and Heian periods women’s clothing became very elaborate.

A young unmarried women would wear a furisode, a colorful kimono with sleeves that hang almost to the ankles.

A married women would wear a kimono with short sleeves.

the robes women wore were worn so that the colors of the hem, sleeves, and neckline could be seen. It created a rainbow effect.

The longer the sleeves are the higher social class you are.

The two swords on the side represent the person as a samurai.

In battles samurai wore there hair down with a hachimski.

They would grow mustaches to distinguish them from women because of their long hair.

Samurai would put their hair in a pigtail and have it down their back or folded

forward on itself.

The clothing of peasants was usually made from cotton.

Women's clothing was dyed using a block printing method.

Clothes were usually dyed with the indigo plant.

On rainy or muddy days wooden clogs called Geta were worn.

Other working class people wore clothes made of hemp, linen, and cotton as well. The silk was saved for the wealthy.

Outdoors they wore sandals made of rice straw.