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Traditional Dress of Japan

Traditional: Typically, when we think of Japanese tradition, we think about kimonos. Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fall to the ankle, with collars and wide, full-length sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right. and secured by a wide belt called an //obi//, which is usually tied at the back. Kimono can be expensive. A woman's kimono may easily exceed $10,000, and a complete kim ono outfit, with kimono, undergarments, obi, ties, socks, sandals and accessories, can exceed US$20,000. A single obi may cost several thousand dollars. Because of this, most women create their own kimonos, which makes it less expensive.
 * [[image:k756.jpg width="252" height="466" caption="This is an example of a kimono."]] ||

Putting it on: Many modern Japanese women lack the skill to put on a kimono unaided: the typical woman's kimono consists of twelve or more separate pieces that are worn, matched and secured in prescribed ways, and you need the help of licensed professional kimono dressers.

To see clearer descriptions of the parts of a kimono and what to do with them, [|click here.]

There are many events on when everyone wears kimonos, but the fabric is what really signifies the occasion. Take a look at some of these fabrics: Of course, there are a lot of other different designs and styles for kimonos. Not only that, there are yukatas (a summer form of a kimono; it's made of cotton), uwagi, hakamas and other types of traditional dress that date back centuries. [|For more info....]

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