Japanese Seasons and Design of KIMONO. (2/2)

It's continued from Japanese Seasons and Design of KIMONO. (1/2)



Around kimono, such customs are living vividly.

If your kimono have wisteria design on it, you can wear it only during the wisteria season.




Some people who are particular about kimono are thinking to wear wisteria kimono after wisteria have bloomed is not smart.
They say after wisteria have bloomed, we have to hand over leading part to real wisteria.
Because wisteria on kimono never surpass real wisteria.


Possibly it's too much to say, but it's very fashionable to catch the season in advance with kimono.



Also, there is kimono that you can wear at plural seasons.

For instance, you can wear foreign (not Japanese origin) flowers design kimono in all seasons.
So, you can wear rose kimono in all seasons, because rose is foreign flower and it didn't exist in the times when kimono customs was grown.
Some people say even if it's a foreign flower, it have to match with season.
But I don't think you necessarily have to do so.


Or, if it has some season's flowers or plants, geometrical design like checkered pattern or stripes, fanciful flowers, and so on, you can wear it whenever you want.


And, some people say that cherry-blossom is Japanese symbol and cherry-blossom kimono can be worn in all seasons.
Or some people say "picture" of cherry-blossom is for spring only but "pattern" of cherry-blossom can be worn in all seasons.


Recently, people are becoming not wearing kimono, and such kimono is increasing to wear it for all seasons.
Most of Japanese people don't want to have a lot of kimono of each season.



Furthermore, you have to match up kimono, obi and accessories to same season.
You can't wear autumnal-tints kimono and cherry-blossom obi together.
Strictly speaking, of course you can do it, but it's not cool but too bad.



Maybe you feel these rules are troublesome.
I agree it!
But don't think so seriously.

Ume-blossom (Japanese plum) symbolize spring in Japan.
Japanese people can wear Ume-blossom kimono in only spring.
But if it doesn't grow up or have meaning in your country, you can wear it in all seasons, I guess.
I wish you match up kimono and obi, but don't need to match up to real seasons so closely in your country.

Thinking about kimono's season is not only bother but also interesting and fun.
Please try and enjoy it easyly!





In Japan, there are a lot of faultfinding madam and specialist of kimono, and they sometimes point out small mistakes of young people.
Though they are good teacher, they also are obstruction of wearing kimono easyly.
And quite a few Japanese young people are shrinking away to wearing kimono.

But your country doesn't have them.
You can wear kimono very carefreely.
I hope your kimono-life will be more delightful with seasons!

► KIDORAKU Japan.com - Column #00003