Kimono: introduction
Japan has a very rich textile history, a major focus of interest and artistic expression being the kimono. Meaning 'the thing worn', the term kimono was first adopted in th…
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Kimono of the Edo period (1615-1868)
In the Edo period the kimono developed into a highly expressive means of personal display, an important indicator of the rising affluence and aesthetic sensibility of the c…
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Kimono of the Meiji period (1868-1912)
The Meiji period was one of unprecedented transformation that was to affect all areas of life, including clothing. It was at this point that the word 'kimono', the thing wo…
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Kimono of the interwar years
Although western-style clothes gained popularity among women during the interwar years, the kimono continued to be worn. The traditional cut of the garment remained the sam…
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Kimono today
Since the end of the Second World War western-style clothing has been the everyday wear of most Japanese. The older generation often continue to wear kimono, as do geisha, …
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Kimono: decoration, symbols & motifs
The patterns that adorn kimono are very significant, for it is through choice of colour and, most importantly, decorative motifs that the wearer's gender, age, status, weal…
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Kimono: dyeing techniques
Most of the dyes used to colour Japanese textiles, and many of the techniques used to apply them, have a history that dates back to the 8th century. However, it was not unt…
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Kimono: embroidery
Like other patterning methods, Japanese embroidery has a long history and reached its peak of technical sophistication in the Edo period. Exploiting the freedom the techniq…
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Kimono: making kimono
By the beginning of the Edo period, the kimono ('the thing worn') was the principle garment of both sexes and all classes. Kimono are made from lengths of a standard width …
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Kimono: weaving techniques
The simplest way of weaving fabric is to pass the weft (horizontal) thread over and under each successive warp (vertical) thread. This is known as plain weave (hira-ori) an…
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V&A Pattern: Kimono
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