Kimono for Men
Kimono is a Japanese garment and a term that means “thing to wear." It is traditional clothing and is recognized as the national costume of Japan. The kimono displays the appearance of the letter “T” in the English language. The garment has a wrapped front and square sleeves. Kimonos are traditionally worn with the left side wrapped over the right. The garment is also worn with a belt, also referred to as “obi”, paired with the sandals, known as “zori” and socks known as “tabi”.
Nowadays, the kimono is rarely worn every day. The garment is now used for festivals, tea ceremonies, weddings, and other important events in Japan. A type of kimono, known as the yukata, is usually worn during the summer season and is also available in traditional Japanese ryokan. Most people who still wear the kimono are elderly Japanese men and women. Other professionals like the geisha and sumo wrestlers also wear traditional clothing as it is part of their occupation.
Kimono History
Garments related to the kimono are traced back to traditional Chinese garments that were introduced in Japan during the Kofun Period. It was during the early stages of immigration between China and Japan. Ever since the Edo Period came, the kimono worn by Japanese men and women had designs remained until Western clothing was encouraged by the Japanese government during the Meiji Period.
5 Kimono Types for Men
The design of kimono for men show lesser designs than the kimono worn by women. The kimono designed for men has sleeves attached to the body and are less deep than the kimono sleeves of women. When the modern era arrived, the fabric of kimono for men became the guide in distinguishing. Kimono for men were matte and showed subtle pattern. Though mostly had dark colours, other kimono had bright colors like green and blue.Montsuki Kimono
Montsuki Kimono is the most formal kimono for men and was used by men in samurai status during the Edo Period. In the modern era, the garment has been used for formal occasions and events like weddings, funerals, and ceremonies. Kuromontsuki Haori Hakama is also used in theater performances and martial arts. “Haori” is the light coat while “hakama” is the trousers. Black Habutai, known as the dyed kamon nagagi is paired with the haori and hakama.
Iro Montsuki Haori Hakama
Different from Montsuki Kimono, the Iro montsuki haori hakama features a colored habutai haori. This type of kimono is also used during formal events like ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. Though its usage is near to the first rank kimono, it is a more casual equivalent compared to the montsuki kimono. It also differs by only having three kamon. It is still recommended to wear Montsuki during formal occasions.
Haori Hakama
Ranking just below iromontsuki is haori hakama. It is known as the 2nd ranked kimono and has two kinds of haori, namely omeshi and tsumugi. Omeshi features gloss and silk, while Tsumugi is fabric spun by hand. The kamon for both ranges from one to three pieces. Haori Hakama can be worn during evening parties, ceremonies, and wedding receptions.
Haori Clothing
Haori clothing is worn during informal events like informal gathering with friends, seeing a play, and new year visitations. It can be worn with the nagagi and is also divided like the hoari hakama, namely Omeshi and Tsumugi.
