In the summer, there are many opportunities to wear yukata at events such as fireworks displays. Dressing up in something different from usual can lift your spirits, right? But why yukata? I've always lived my life without questioning the fact that it's a yukata and not a kimono, but when you think about it, it's strange. The more I think about it, the more I realize what the difference is between the yukata worn at a ryokan and the yukata worn at fireworks displays and other events. I've put together a summary of yukata, including what you need to wear when wearing one.
The difference between yukata and kimono worn in summer
I would like to explore this from three main perspectives.- 1) Do you wear underwear?
- 2) When to wear it
- 3) Material
Do you wear underwear?
When wearing a kimono, you must wear something called a nagajuban. The nagajuban absorbs sweat and prevents the garment from becoming loose. When wearing a yukata, you may also wear a yukata slip, but most people will just wear the yukata by itself.When to wear it
Kimono are worn for formal occasions such as New Year's and weddings, while yukata are worn for a variety of occasions, such as after bathing or at festivals. The difference in their origins is still clear today.material
Kimonos are made from cotton, wool, synthetic fibers, and silk, while yukatas are primarily made from cotton. Nowadays, yukatas are made from materials similar to kimonos. However, in terms of price, yukatas are cheaper because they contain more cotton. Next, I would like to look into the history of yukata.The history of the Japanese traditional costume, the yukata
In the past, as Buddhism progressed, monks wore inner garments (naii) to purify themselves before Buddhist services, and in the Heian period, when Japan's unique culture flourished, the garments worn by nobles came to be called yukatabira. Baths were sauna-like ablutions, and people wore yukata. As baths began to have bathtubs, wearing kimonos after bathing became popular. As time passed, in the Momoyama period, Bon Odori dances became popular and people began wearing yukata as Bon Festival yukata, which is said to be the beginning of wearing yukata in the summer. In the Edo period, yukata were worn as a haori to protect against dust and dirt. With the spread of cotton, they came to be worn as everyday summer clothing, but also for a variety of occasions.How to use yukata
In the past, yukata were differentiated by the shape of the cuffs. Yukata worn after bathing are characterized by wide sleeves, which are not sewn together at the bottom of the cuffs. Yukata worn as a single layer have square sleeves and are characterized by stitching on the outside from the front. There was a clear distinction between yukata worn outside and at home. Basic yukata terminology- ・Ohashiori
- The part of the yukata that is pulled up around the waist and tied with a waist string.
- ・Uwamae (upper part of the house)
- The outer layer when layering. The left side is the front.
- ・Shimae
- The inner layer of layers when wearing layers. The right side is on the bottom.
- ・Eight-seat opening
- The open area at the side of the bodice. This is where you put your hand in to adjust the collar.
- ・Sleeve length
- Length from center of back to cuff. Shoulder width + sleeve width.
- ・Toes
- The corner at the end of the collar.
- ・Belt
- It is something that is placed in the front of the obi to prevent it from wrinkling.
- ・Waist cord
- A string used to tighten the kimono and keep it in place when putting it on.
- ・Kobaze
- Tabi clasp. Some types do not have the "Konba Kore" mark.
- ・Hada undergarment
- Underwear that absorbs dirt and sweat from the skin.
- Half collar
- It is attached to the collar of a kimono undergarment as decoration.
- ・Hem guard
- Undergarments that are worn around the waist.
- ・Three-quarter string
- A type of obi-jime. It is thin in width and thickness because it is attached through an obidome.
- ·hand
- The name of the part of the obi that is put on first when tying it.
- ・Netsuke
- An ornament that is fastened to the obi.
- ・Half-width obi
- An obi half the width of a standard obi (approximately 15cm to 17cm).
- ・Basting thread
- This is the thread used to basting stitches to secure seams and folds.
- ・Tatami paper
- Washi paper for storing yukata and kimonos. Durable washi paper that has been folded with creases.
- ・Date collar
- Also known as a layered collar, this is a collar fastened underneath the main collar to make the visible part of the collar appear layered.
- ・Datejime
- It is wrapped around the hem to prevent the garment from becoming untidy.