Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Introduction

The kimono is a Japanese traditional garment that is internationally known for its unique design. The garment got its popularity from the ancient ukiyo-e prints, which were clad in this garment. The ukiyo-e maidens have been a major tourist attraction especially in the western part of Japan and hence the unequivocal popularity of this garment. The kimono are made for both men and women but in different designs. On top of this, there are special kimono garments made for different occasions. This garment has been an important part of Japanese heritage and will remain so for a long time to come (Japan Zone).

Main Discussion

Unlike in the past, kimono is losing much of its former appeal in Japan. Today, the cloth is only worn by aged women or during celebration of special events. This is partly due to the high cost of obtaining the garment. Today, a decent silk kimono costs well over a million yen, which is obviously beyond the reach of many Japanese citizens. The other reason behind the waning popularity of the kimono is the intricate design used in its knitting. This makes it hard for inexperienced people to wear it properly. The obi, which is a decorative sash that goes hand in hand with the kimono also poses problems for many learners. Young women aspiring to wear the kimono have to get instructions from their mothers. On the other hand, the girls can go for special kimono schools, which are available throughout the country.

Over the years, the design used in making the kimono has greatly changed. In the past, both women and men wore a short-sleeved garment called the kosode as an inner garment. However as time progressed, this cloth was made to be an outer garment. In the beginning of the 18th century, the name of this garment was changed to kimono. Although this garment is not as popular as it was in the past, it is still a common sight among the Japanese people. The garment is common among women attending Japanese traditional art ceremonies. The cloth is also common among girls and single women in the society. This group wears a kind of kimono called the furisode, which is made of a bright material. The older women wear a simpler garment called the Edo komon that is slightly different from that worn by the young and single women. Unlike the furisode, the Edo komon is a bit plain and casual.

Apart from the traditional arts, kimonos are also common in weddings and during funerals. However, the color scheme used in weddings differs from the one used in funerals. In weddings, the bride wears a white kimono to signify purity while black garments are worn in funerals to signify mourning. In the past, the skill of making and putting on a kimono was passed on from generation to generation. However, this has greatly changed and today there are special schools meant to teach this skill.

Conclusion

The kimono has been a part of Japanese culture since time immemorial. Although the garment is not as popular as it was in the past, current trends show that this is a part of the Japanese heritage that is not about to disappear any time soon. Today, there are numerous schools where young people are taught how to make and put on the kimono. By looking at the high number of students who have been attending these special schools, one could easily tell that the Japanese people are still proud of this part of their culture.

Works Cited

Japan Zone. Kimono, 2010.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2021, December 25). Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage. https://ivypanda.com/essays/japanese-kimono-a-part-of-cultural-heritage/

Work Cited

"Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage." IvyPanda, 25 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/japanese-kimono-a-part-of-cultural-heritage/.

References

IvyPanda. (2021) 'Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage'. 25 December.

References

IvyPanda. 2021. "Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage." December 25, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/japanese-kimono-a-part-of-cultural-heritage/.

1. IvyPanda. "Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage." December 25, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/japanese-kimono-a-part-of-cultural-heritage/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Japanese Kimono: A Part of Cultural Heritage." December 25, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/japanese-kimono-a-part-of-cultural-heritage/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1