Glossary of Kimono Terms

The kimono has a vocabulary of its own. Formality, season and the occasion it was made for are all expressed in its type, its fabric and its decoration. This glossary explains the terms you will meet when looking at vintage and antique kimono.

Garment types

  • Furisode. The most formal kimono for unmarried women, with long swinging sleeves.
  • Kurotomesode. A black formal kimono for married women, decorated only below the waist and bearing five crests.
  • Irotomesode. A coloured equivalent of the kurotomesode.
  • Hōmongi. A visiting kimono, with a pattern that flows across the seams.
  • Tsukesage. A semi-formal kimono with a simpler, placed pattern.
  • Komon. An everyday kimono with a small repeating pattern.
  • Iromuji. A plain coloured kimono, often worn for the tea ceremony.
  • Yukata. A light unlined cotton kimono for summer.
  • Haori. A jacket worn over the kimono. Men's haori often have a decorated lining.
  • Michiyuki. A travel coat with a square neckline.
  • Nagajuban. The under kimono, sometimes boldly patterned.
  • Uchikake. A heavy, richly decorated bridal over kimono.

Parts of a kimono

  • Sode. The sleeve, and tamoto, the hanging pocket of the sleeve.
  • Eri. The collar.
  • Okumi. The front overlap panel.
  • Hakkake. The lining at the hem and lower body.
  • Kamon. Family crests, in one, three or five positions according to formality.

Obi and accessories

  • Maru obi. The heaviest and most formal obi, patterned on both sides.
  • Fukuro obi. A formal obi patterned on one side.
  • Nagoya obi. A lighter obi with a narrowed section, for everyday and semi-formal wear.
  • Hanhaba obi. A half width obi, worn with yukata.
  • Obijime and obiage. The cord and the scarf that secure and finish the obi.

Fabrics and techniques

  • Chirimen. Silk crepe.
  • Rinzu. Damask silk with a woven pattern.
  • Tsumugi. Pongee woven from spun silk. Ōshima and Yūki are the most famous.
  • Ro and sha. Open gauze weaves for high summer.
  • Yūzen. Freehand resist dyeing with rice paste.
  • Shibori. Tie dyeing, including the fine dotted kanoko.
  • Kasuri. Ikat, with threads dyed before weaving.

Seasons and linings

  • Awase. A lined kimono for the cooler months.
  • Hitoe. An unlined kimono for early summer and early autumn.
  • Tanmono. An uncut bolt of kimono fabric.

Related references

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