The kimono is the traditional clothing of Japan. Kimono styles have changed significantly from one period of Japan's history to another, and today there are many different types of kimono worn by men, women, and children. The cut, color, fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year, and the occasion for which the kimono is worn.

All items from the following website:
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/woman-sleeve.html

Jomon Period (Before 300 AD)

The clothes of this period were made of hemp and loosely fastened. There was no distinction between male and female clothing.

Yamato Period (300-550 A.D.)

Yamato clothing consisted of two pieces, an upper and lower piece. The upper piece had tight sleeves. During this period the art of raising silk worms was introduced in Japan by Chinese settlers. At this time, they had no skills or techniques for dyeing clothes, so the silk fabric remained white.

Asuka Period (550-710 A.D.)

During the Asuka and Nara periods sewing methods developed more, and clothing became longer and wider. Courtier's clothes were divded into three groups: formal clothes, court clothes and uniforms, the colors varying with rank.

Asuka Female

Nara Period (710-792 A.D.)

During the Nara and the previous Asuka periods, techniques for dyeing silk were developed. Clothing consisted of many pieces including upper and lower garments, jackets, a front skirt, and a back skirt.

Nara Male

Heian Period (792-1192 A.D.)

During the Heian period, the japanese expressed their perception color and color changes of the four seasons through costume. Their deep love of artistic beauty and colors were reflected in the kimono of this period.

Heian Period Junihito

To protect against high humidity, buildings had elevated floors made of tatami mats. The convention of sitting on the floor became an important part of the life style. Clothing became stiffer and more voluminous. Court women wore 10, 12, 15 or even 20 layers at a time. This layered dressing is called "juni-hito" which literally means "12 layers." The layered color pattern reflected many things including seasons, directions, virtues, and elements of the earth as they related to spirits of nature. The multiple layers also helped in staying warm in winter.

Heian Period Suikan, Kazami

The Suikan was a hunting outfit; the Kazami, warm weather clothing for young women and children at the Court.

Muromachi Period (1192-1573 A.D.)

During this period, the aristocratic culture of the Heian period decayed and the Samurai gained power. Clothes were modified to be simpler and easier to move around in to fit the more active lifestyle of the Samurai.

Edo Period (1601-1867 A.D.)

During this period, commerce and industry developed rapidly. Merchants began to have more power than the Samurai.

Better dyeing techniques were developed. The "Yuzen" dyeing technique (a dye-resist dyeing process) was developed and became popular because any color could be used and could dye many different complex patterns such as flowers and birds.

Kimono were now made of multicolored, highly decorated fabric, and were worn in a single layer.

The belt, or obi, which until this time period was tied in the front, was now tied in the back. See A Woman's Kimono - Obi for some modern obi examples.

Of modern kimono, women's kimono are the most elaborate and varied in style and design. Fabric, color, sleeve length, and the details of the obi and how it is tied vary according to the wearer's age, social status, marital status and season.

Modern Kimono

Beautiful Kimono

Often a brightly colored (usually red or orange) over-kimono is worn on top of the white bridal kimono at the wedding reception.

Everything courtesy of:
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/woman-bridal.html

A Woman's Kimono - Yukata

In the summer,many women wear a yukata, a light-weight cotton kimono, to attend festivals. Most yukata are navy blue and white, but girls and young women sometimes wear brightly colored, floral pattered yukata. Some people wear them around the house. Japanese inns and hot spring resorts often provide yukata for guests to wear in their rooms.

http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/woman-yukata.html

Thank you yoko for this very enlightening and wonderful topic. I have enjoyed looking at all the kimonos.

Welcome to Givnology yoko, and thank you for sharing this very interesting topic with us.

Love,
Sue

Welcome yoko. Nice to have you on Givnology.
Thank you for the very interesting post and pictures.

Love
Vicky

Wonderful topic Yoko! A big welcome to Givnology! (appropriate bowing...)



from: http://www.celmart.com/dijgraphics/japan/kimono2.htm