All Kinds of Kimono

You mean there's more than one? Oy... 
Well yes there is more than one type of basic Kimono all the way through to the most elaborate and formal.

• See a bunch of different kimono
• yukata
• tsukesage
• iromuji
• homongi
• tomesode
• furisode
• uchikake

Assorted

Not only are there a number of types of kimono, they also come in a wide variety of color and pattern. So many choices! See a few variations below.

Yukata

The Yukata is a casual light cotton kimono for wearing in summer. Yukatas normally have very brightly colored designs on them. Today these kimonos are mainly worn to the traditional Bon-Odori and summer festivals. The relative simply design of Yukata means Japanese women can, with some practice, put this kimono on unassisted.

The name yukata comes from the word ‘yu’ (bath) and ‘katabira’ (under clothing). In the Heian era (794-1185), court nobles wore linen ‘yukata’ which were draped loosely after taking a bath. The yukata was later also worn by Japanese warriors and by the Edo era (1600-1868), it was widely worn by the public when public bath became a popular recreation in Japan.

Tsukesage

The name tsukesage comes from the way in which the designs are applied to the kimono. Starting at the hemline in the front and back the patterns move upward, meeting at the top of the shoulders. Tsukesage may be worn at either formal or semi-formal gatherings.

Iromuji

Iromuji means that the kimono is colored, but has no dyed patterns except a single-family crest placed at the back. . The materials for iromuji are figured satin (mon rinzu) or crepe (chirijmen).

Homongi

Homon means "visit" and gi means, " wear." This is a formal kimono worn by both single or married woman on special occasions. It is a simplified version of the furisode and tomesode. Designs for homongi are very decorative and the patterns run continuously over the seams. Sleeve length varies between 22 inches and 28 inches. This kimono is usually worn with fukuro obi with a matching obi-age and obi-jime.

Tomesode

Kuro-tomesode
The most formal kimono for a married woman is the five-crested kuro (black) tomesode. It is worn on formal occasions such as weddings and other ceremonious occasions. In comparison to the long "waving" sleeves of the furisode, tomesode sleeves are shorter. Elaborate designs are applied only to the lower half of the kimono. This kimono creates an impressive and striking black and white contrast. The white under-kimono, made of haubuae silk or rinzu (silk crepe), whose collar sharply defines the lines of the kimono, further heightens the elegance of this kimono.

Iro-tomesode
Married women may wear colored tomesode with dyed or sewn family crests on formal occasions. Although the colors and designs give it a lighter and more festive air, the iro (colored) tomesode ranks next to the black tomesode among formal kimono.

Both kuro-tomesode and iro-tomesode have the family crest (kamon) dyed or embroidered in either one at the back, or one on each side of the front and three cross the back.

For both kuro-tomesode and iro-tomesode, the double-folded obi (furkuro obi) woven with gold or silver thread is worn along with the obi-age made of dappled white tie-dye (kanoko). The obi-jime may be either a white, round, blind-stitched silk cord or gold or silver braided silk cord. The sandals (zori) should be either gold or silver.

Furisode

Furisodoe is the most formal kimono for unmarried women. Furisode means "long flowing sleeves" . Sleeve length varies from full length to short. They usually have rich decorative designs using elaborate techniques of hand painting or embroidering. Most women attend Coming-of-Age-Day ceremony in colorful Furisode. The sumptuous furisode especially worn by a bride under uchikake is called kakeshita. Kakeshita is usually longer than usual kimono, so it may be perfect for women of taller size. Furisode can be used either as a lovely garment or an interior decor.

Uchikake

Uchikake is an ornate wedding coat with a long trail, which brides wear during the wedding ceremony. It is worn like a robe without obi over another kimono, called kakeshita, which is tied with obi. Uchikake is usually heavily brocaded or embroidered with the motif of congratulations such as cranes, pines, flowing water and a bounty of flowers. The bottom of Uchikake is padded to trail along the floor.