Introduction of Kimono

The kimono (着物-きもの，kimono) is the national costume of Japan.1 Before the Edo period, it was called the kimono (吳服), which is derived from the Ancient Records of Events (古事記), Nihonshoki (日本書紀), and Matsumoto Monogatari (松窗夢語), and the costume was known as the "着物" before it was known as kimono. "In ancient Japan, the kimono was a type of kimono. Kimono can be categorized into public kimono and military kimono. The so-called "kimono" of today is actually the small sleeves of ancient times.2 The wearing of small sleeves began in the Muromachi period,3 and the white small sleeves of the aristocrats gradually became the clothing of the common people.4 In addition to the "kimono," the "kimono" also includes the hakama (shoulder coat), the kamakura (hunting coat), and so on, which are not kimono but traditional clothing of the local people. These are not kimono, but traditional costumes of the local people. The twelve monograms were modified from the Nara-era shōtōs, and have since been changed and innovated. The origin of the kimono can be traced back to the 3rd century AD. During the Nara period, Japanese envoys came to China and were presented with a large number of colorful court dresses. The following year, Japan followed the example of Sui and Tang costumes, and by the Muromachi era, the kimono had been improved upon to follow the Tang costume, while the kimono obi was created by the influence of Christian missionaries who wore robes with an obi sash.5 The Japanese expressed their sense of artistry in their kimonos.6 In Japan, kimonos are attended at coronations (bar mitzvahs), weddings, funerals, festivals, kendo, bow-do, kendo, tea ceremonies, floral ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, banquets, Yakuza, cultural performances, and celebrations of traditional festivals, Japanese people wear dignified kimonos.7 The culture and etiquette of wearing kimonos is known as attire-do. The kimono contains nearly 30 important intangible cultural assets of Japan related to dyeing and weaving techniques and more than 50 traditional crafts designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Echigo Uebu, Kochigaya Communicator and Koshiro Communicator, which make kimono, have been inscribed in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage.