In modern times, yukata are an essential item for enjoying fireworks displays and festivals, but what was the history behind them before they became the mainstream way of wearing them today?
What is the surprising origin?! Yukata was originally ◯◯?!
Let us now take a look back at its origins, dating back to the ancient Heian period.・Heian period
It is said that the original model was the yukatabira, which was worn by aristocrats during the Heian period while bathing. At the time, people would bathe in a steam bath style similar to a sauna with multiple people, so they wore yukatabira (bathcloths) to absorb sweat, prevent burns, and hide their naked bodies.・Azuchi-Momoyama period
Around the Azuchi-Momoyama period, it began to be worn after bathing to absorb moisture. Its role is similar to that of a towel today.・Edo period
During the Edo period, public baths became widespread and ordinary people could easily enjoy bathing naked in a public bath, just as they do today. During this process, people began to wear the yukata they had worn after bathing outside, and began going out to events such as cherry blossom viewing, festivals, and Bon Odori dances. Around this time, the technique of indigo dyeing was born, which made it possible to dye intricate patterns, and yukata with a variety of designs began to be made. Yukata became popular as a fashionable garment enjoyed in the Edo period for fashion purposes.・Meiji period
During the Meiji period, a dyeing method called chusen, which was different from indigo dyeing, was developed, and as yukata could be mass-produced, wearing yukata as everyday summer wear became established. It seems that yukata were worn most frequently during this period. After that, lifestyles rapidly became more stylized, and Western clothing replaced the yukata, causing the yukata to gradually decline as everyday wear.·present day
What do you think of this brief look back at the origins and history of yukata? Yukata originally began as underwear for the nobility. As time passed, people began to wear them outside, and with the development of dyeing methods, they became everyday wear and evolved into fashion for enjoying the summer. Thinking about these aspects can be one way to enjoy wearing a yukata. 