The History of Kimonos
O
riginally, "kimono" was the
Japanese word for clothing. But in
more recent years, the word has
been used to refer specifically to traditional
Japanese clothing. Kimonos as we know
them today came into being during the
Heian period (794-1192).
From the Nara period (710-794) until then,
Japanese people typically wore either
ensembles consisting of separate upper
and lower garments (trousers or skirts), or
one-piece garments. But in the Heian
period, a new kimono-making technique
was developed. Known as the straight-
line-cut method, it involved cutting pieces
of fabric in straight lines and sewing them
together. With this technique, kimono
makers did not have to concern
themselves with the shape of the wearer's
body.
Straight-line-cut kimonos offered many
advantages. They were easy to fold. They
were also suitable for all weather: They
could be worn in layers to provide warmth
in winter, and kimonos made of breathable
fabric such as linen were comfortable in
summer. These advantages helped
kimonos become part of Japanese
people's everyday lives.
Over time, as the practice of wearing
kimonos in layers came into fashion,
Japanese people began paying attention
to how kimonos of different colors looked
together, and they developed a
heightened sensitivity to color. Typically,
color combinations represented either
seasonal colors or the political class to
which one belonged. It was during this
time that what we now think of as
traditional Japanese color combinations
developed.
During the Kamakura period (1192-1338)
and the Muromachi period (1338-1573),
both men and women wore brightly
colored kimonos. Warriors dressed in
colors representing their leaders, and
sometimes the battlefield was as gaudy as
a fashion show.
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During the Edo period (1603-1868), the
Tokugawa warrior clan ruled over Japan.
The country was divided up into feudal
domains ruled by lords. The samurais of
each domain wore identified by the colors
and patterns of their "uniforms." They
consisted of three parts: a kimono; a
sleeveless garment known as a kamishimo
worn over the kimono; and a hakama, a
trouser-like split skirt. The kamishimo was
made of linen, starched to make the
shoulders stand out. With so many
samurai clothes to make, kimono makers
got better and better at their craft, and
kimono making grew into an art form.
Kimonos became more valuable, and
parents handed them down to their
children as family heirlooms.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912),
Japan was heavily influenced by foreign
cultures. The government encouraged
people to adopt Western clothing and
habits. Government officials and military
personnel were required by law to wear
Western clothing for official functions.
(That law is no longer in effect today.) For
ordinary citizens, wearing kimonos on
formal occasions were required to use
garments decorated with the wearer's
family crest, which identified his or her
family background.
Nowadays, Japanese people rarely wear
kimonos in everyday life, reserving them
for such occasions as weddings, funerals,
tea ceremonies, or other special events,
such as summer festivals.
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 The History of Kimonos

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)?

True False

  1- Kimonos as we know today did not exist in Japan before the Heian period.
  2- The straight-line-cut technique made kimonos suitable for all weather.
  3- Japanese people were not happy with the straight-line-cut kimonos.
  4- The widespread practice of wearing kimonos brought about total indifference
to colour combinations.
  5- During the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period, kimonos of bright
colours gained in considerable importance.
  6- During the Edo period, the samurais of each domain wore kimonos of
the same colours.
  7- During the Edo period, it became a tradition for parents to leave kimonos to
their children as family heirlooms.
  8- During the Meiji period it was compulsory for all Japanese people to adopt
Western clothing and habits.
  9- It’s not so common to see Japanese people wearing kimonos today.

BUILDING VOCABULARY

Match the words on the left with a definition on the right.

ensemble 1. too brightly coloured in a way that lacks taste

garment 2. a set of clothes that are worn together
breathable 3. sharp, strong, increased
heightened 4. (of fabric used in making clothes) allowing air to pass through
gaudy 5. a piece of clothing
rule over 6. to control and have authority over a country, a group of people, etc
domain 7. a valuable object that has belonged to the same family for many
years
heirloom 8. lands owned or ruled by a particular person, government, etc.,
especially in the past

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 The History of Kimonos

Idioms and other phrases

A- Match the idioms on the left with a definition on the right.

come into being 1. (of a law or rule) in use

come into fashion 2. to give or leave sth to sb who is younger than you
hand sth down to sb 3. to become fashionable
be in effect 4. to exist, to appear

B- Fill in the blanks with the appropriate idioms given below.

come into being come into fashion

hand down to be in effect

1- Long skirts have ……………………….. again.

2- The Turkish Republic ……………………….. in 1923.
3- The outstanding literary works of American were ……………………….. us by the early
immigrants.
4- The new law has ……………………….. for two weeks.

 Expressions with the word “concern”:

be concerned with : This article is primarily concerned with the new

be concerned to do sth
concern oneself with sth
a matter of concern
developments in technology.
: As a teacher, I am concerned to give my students feedback
on the essays they have written.
: Our manager doesn’t concern himself with details.
: Misbehaviour in school is a matter of concern both to
parents and to school.

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 The History of Kimonos

ANSWER KEY

COMPREHENSION CHECK

1- T 2- T 3- F 4- F 5- T 6- F 7- T 8- F 9- T

BUILDING VOCABULARY

1- gaudy
2- ensemble
3- heightened
4- breathable
5- garment
6- rule over
7- heirloom
8- domain

Idioms and other phrases

A-

1- be in effect
2- hand sth down to sb
3- come into fashion
4- come into being

B-

1- come into fashion

2- came into being
3- handed down to
4- been in effect

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