Yukata

A yukata is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton. People
wearing yukata are a common sight in Japan at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other
summer events. The yukata is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns.
Though their use is not limited to after-bath wear, yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes.

Like other forms of traditional Japanese clothing yukata are made with straight seams and wide
sleeves. Unlike formal kimono, which are made of silk, yukata are typically made of cotton or
synthetic fabrics, and are unlined.

Traditionally yukata were mostly made of indigo-dyed cotton but today a wide variety of colors
and designs are available. As with kimono, the general rule with yukata is that younger people
wear brighter colors and bolder patterns than older people. A child might wear a multicolored
print and a young woman, a floral print, while an older woman would confine herself to a
traditional dark blue with geometric patterns. Since the late 1990s, yukata have experienced a
revival. The left side of the yukata is wrapped over the right side, and secured with an obi sash.
In private, such as after a bath, the yukata may be simply belted. Yukata are often worn with
wooden sandals called geta, but tabi are not usually worn.

Different from other types of kimono, yukata sewing very easy. Yukata have a very simple
pattern, and sewn without upholstery fabric in the hips or pundak.yukata not polite clothes that
are used to meet other people, but only sleepwear.

Yukata (baju sesudah mandi) adalah jenis kimono yang dibuat dari bahan kain katun tipis tanpa
pelapis. Dibuat dari kain yang mudah dilewati angin, yukata dipakai agar badan menjadi sejuk di
sore hari atau sesudah mandi malam berendam dengan air panas.

Menurut urutan tingkat formalitas, yukata adalah kimono nonformal yang dipakai pria dan
wanita pada kesempatan santai di musim panas, misalnya sewaktu melihat pesta kembang api,
matsuri (ennichi), atau menari pada perayaan obon. Yukata dapat dipakai siapa saja tanpa
mengenal status, wanita sudah menikah atau belum menikah.

Gerakan dasar yang harus dikuasai dalam nihon buyo selalu berkaitan dengan kimono. Ketika
berlatih tari, penari mengenakan yukata sebagai pengganti kimono agar kimono berharga mahal
tidak rusak karena keringat. Aktor kabuki mengenakan yukata ketika berdandan atau
memerankan tokoh yang memakai yukata. Pegulat sumo memakai yukata sebelum dan sesudah
bertanding.

Musim panas berarti musim pesta kembang api dan matsuri di Jepang. Jika terlihat orang
memakai yukata, berarti tidak jauh dari tempat itu ada matsuri atau pesta kembang api.