THE JAPANESE CLOTH

The Japanese typically wear two types of clothing. In modern Japan, clothing is typically
divided into western clothing (洋服 yōfuku?) and Japanese clothing (和服 wafuku?). While
the traditional ethnic garments of Japan are still in use, they are mainly worn for ceremonies
and special events, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies (seijin shiki), and festivals. Western
clothing is worn often in day-to-day life. While the westernization of fashions has continued
at a rapid pace, the kimono still lives on within the Japanese culture.

Japanese clothing consisted entirely of a great variety of kimono. They first appeared in the
Jomon period, with no distinction between male and female. After Japan opened up for
trading with the outside world, other options started to come in. Officers and men of some
units of the shogun's army and navy were among the first to adopt western clothing,
fashioned after the styles worn by English marines stationed at Yokohama. The style only
grew from there, moving out from the military to other lifestyles. Students of public colleges
and universities were ordered to wear western-style uniforms and businessmen, teachers,
doctors, bankers, and other leaders of the new society wore suits to work and at large social
functions. Although western-style dress was becoming more popular for the work place,
schools, and streets it was not worn by everybody. Since World War II most areas have been
taken over by western clothing.

Types and styles of Japanese clothing

An example of a Japanese clothing is the kimono; the kimono is a traditional garment.

Japanese kimonos are wrapped around the body, sometimes in several layers, and are
secured in place by sashes with a wide obi to complete it. There are also a number of
accessories and ties needed in order to wear the kimono correctly. The modern kimono is
not worn as often as it once was. Most women now wear western-style clothing and only
wear kimono for special occasions. In modern Japan kimono are a marked feminine costume
and a national attire. There are multiple types and subtypes of kimonos that a woman can
wear: furisode, uchikake and shiromoku, houmongi, yukata, tomesode, and mofuku,
depending on her marital status and the event she intends to attend.

Japanese clothing, specifically kimono, is styled to fit the seasons. Clothing with more rustic
colors and patterns (like russet leaves) are favored in autumn, while in spring more vibrant
colors and floral designs (like cherry blossoms) are common. In winter, those dressing in
kimono tend to wear darker colors and multiple layers. When done for formal occasions
people will sometime go to profession kimono dressers to be dressed in their kimono- it is
then you will see some of the most elaborate ties in the obi- down to particular r tie patterns
for each month. These days one rarely sees kimonos except at festivals or parties. However,
in recent years there is a slowly growing resurgence in the popularity of kimono in the
younger generations with new styles and ways of wearing kimono finding ground.