I'm doing my report on Japanese clothing you will hear about the comparisons of now and then clothing. As well as comparisons of western and Japanese clothing. We will also learn about the Kimono the Hakamas and Footwear and Accessories.
There are several 3rd to 5th century figures that show the Japanese used to wear 2 piece costumes-crossed front jackets that flared out over the hips, with trousers underneath for the men and pleated skirts for the women.
In the 7th century the Kimono was introduced only it was introduced as a undergarment. Similar to the pa'o robes woren by the women of T'ang China. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the short sleeved kimono (kosodo) was woren only by women as an outer garment, this was belted by a narrow sash called an obi. Once the Shogunate actually passed laws to prohibit the masses from wearing a kimono but the nouveau riches Edoites, Geisha and other entertainers began wearing them and control became impossible. The final acceptance of the kimono was when the Samurai adopted it in the 14th century. The wide Obi wasn't adopted till the 18th century and it was at this time women began to wear the short wide-sleeved Haori coat. Today most Japanese only wear clothing for festivals and other special occasions. Although most wear western clothing some of the elders decide to keep the clothing tradition going.
The essential kimono is an ankle-length gown with long expansive sleeves and a V-neck. It has no buttons or ties it is just wrapped left over right across the chest and tied with a sash. They can be made of brocade, cotton, silk, wool, linen, all depending on the seasons and they are patterned with bright rich colours which are put on by dye. Girls and women a very fond of their bright patterned kimonos so they try to keep them neat. The men wear dark kimonos tucked in wide pleated trousers called Hakamas. On very formal occasions men and boys wore dark beautiful kimonos of full length with the haori.
There is also another style of kimono called the Yukata which is made of cotton. It is also called the "happy coat." It was originally made for at home after bath but soon became a unisex article of clothing for the Japanese. The yukata is also very well known for wearing in hot and humid summers.
There is a special piece of footwear in Japan called Geta. They are actually wooden clogs which are 5cm high. There is another kind of geta called the amageta-geta which are for rain and have a height of 7-10cm. The geta aren't designed very well and the toe strap is in the wrong place instead of being between the big toe and the second toe it's between the second and the third. The geta also point inwards giving you a knock-kneed appearance. Geta are woren on formal and traditional occasions.
The men wear plain wood with plain black straps and the women use lacquered black or vermillion with colourful straps of velvet or silk. The geta are much like thongs which in Japan are called surripa. Since thongs are orignally from the west the Japanese enjoy them quite a bit.
There is an popular accessory called an Hachimaki which is a headband with to purposes. It is involved in strenuous work and keeps sweat out of the eyes. It's second meaning is to signal when working "leave me alone I'm busy." Pilots during the war, wore the hachimaki in the insolation of their cockpits.
In their hair the Japanese also often wear Chopsticks. These do make a very nice ensomble with the kimono.
In Japan clothing is often smaller then westerns, sleeves shorter and hips narrower. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, underwear, socks, shoes and hosiery some accessories are sometimes also smaller this includes neckties, belts chockers and ect.. The Japanese always have and probably always will not like seeing to much flesh nor they do not like seeing teenages wearing the grunge look (teared jeans at the knees, old things with holes in them) instead they wear tailored or designers clothing. In Japan it is tough to find earrings for pierced ears and girls usally wear skirts instead of pants while the boys usally wear shorts all year long. In case you go to Japan and find most clothes don't fit there are some stores that carry special clothes for the westerns which are bigger sizes.
In Japan right now kimono's cost anywhere between 200,000 yen ($1950 Canadian) to 1,000,000 yen ($10,400 Canadian). There is also the yukata which costs 4,000 yen ($130 Canadian). Second hand kimonos cost about 1 tenth of a new one. These prices though are always climbing. Many hotels sell their own kimonos for less in bigger sizes. If you are trying to dress for a job interview read the following don'ts. Play down the make up, jewellery and accessories. Trousers on women, teenage styles, plunging necklines, brazon barebacks and split skirts will rock them so will way out hairstyles if you're over 40. Also high heels will make them feel small and like you're towering over them. When you are shopping for items to dress and primp yourself remember these words and phrases;
In conclusion clothing is now almost all western and despite these changes the kimono will still be a beautiful part of Japanese culture and history.