Japanese
culture is rich and diverse, encompassing various traditional practices that
have evolved over centuries. Here is a brief summary of some key aspects of
traditional Japanese culture:
1) KIMONO (着物)
The kimono (靀物), the most recognizable and iconic of all traditional Japanese
clothing, is becoming more and more popular outside of Japan while remaining a
wardrobe must for many Japanese people. Originally worn with a hakama, a long
skirt-like garment with a divider along the center, the kimono was modeled
after ancient Chinese apparel. But as time went on, fashion altered, and
wearing the kimono without the skirt and instead pulling it together with an
obi sash became much more common. The kimono has withstood the test of time.
Usually worn for formal events, both traditional and modern, its body-hugging
shape and flattering fit are a timeless symbol of Japan's profound admiration
for thoughtful beauty.
The yukata (恅衣) is the summertime equivalent of the kimono,
to put it simply. The garment was initially designed as swimming cloth, hence
its name, and it is made of soft, light fabric like cotton. The yukata is an
easy-to-wear garment that may be worn by both men and women. It is secured with
an obi. During the hot summer months, this fashionable and airy robe is also
the unofficial attire for colorful summer matsuri festivities. It is most
commonly worn when onsen swimming.
3) HAKAMA (袴)
One kind of
traditional Japanese apparel is called hakama. During the Sui and Tang
dynasties, trousers were worn in the Chinese royal courts. the hakama, or
traditional Japanese clothing, that the Japanese started wearing in the sixth
century. Hakama are bound at the waist and reach about the ankles. It is put on
top of a "hakama-shita" kimono. Hakama is customarily worn by guys.
Different types of hakama were once worn by warriors, farmers, scholars, and
artisans. These days, ladies also don hakama. Either for martial arts practice
or as formal attire, hakama is worn.
4) FURISODE (振袖)
Young, single Japanese
ladies wear the most formal kind of kimono, called furisode (振袖), which translates to "swinging sleeves." Because the long
sleeves are only loosely fitted over the torso, the lining is visible on both
the inside and outside edges. Because of their exorbitant cost, people
frequently choose to rent these exquisitely crafted silk items rather than buy
them. Women in their 20s are more likely to wear furisodes when commemorating
"Coming of Age Day" on the second Monday of January. Wearing a
furisode after being married or over the age of thirty is not typical.
5) HAORI (捽湔)
A haori (捽湔), a medium-length jacket worn over a kimono, is a more formal version
of the hanten. was only available to those of a higher social level in the
past, but during the Sengoku era, men would cover their armor with sleeveless
haori, much like Europeans did with tabards. with the 1800s, women dabbled with
donning the haori as a bold fashion accessory, a trend started by geisha. The
laborious shibori method is used to hand-dye this haori kimono jacket. To
produce complex patterns between the colored areas and raw cloth, portions of
the fabric are tied together before being submerged.
6) SAMUE (潜務衣)
When engaging in the
physically demanding, attentive task known as samu, Japanese Zen Buddhist
clergy used to wear the very simple samue (潜務衣) garment.
Cooking, cleaning, and outdoor work are all included in the samu category of
activities, and they're all considered to be great approaches to practice
mindfulness. They're usually made of linen or cotton and stained indigo blue or
brown, and they consist of a basic shirt and pants. Its deliberate design and
subtle simplicity make it a superb illustration of Zen Buddhism in action.
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