The Kimono
print by Utagawa Kunisada, 1847-1852, via Victoria and Albert Museum, London:
The Kimono:
The kimono has always played a dynamic role in Japanese dress history. Not only does it fully embody traditional cultural values, but it also reflects the Japanese sense of beauty. In Japanese dress items, there is no relationship between the garment and the body, which is why every kimono is essentially the same size. The most distinctive characteristic of kimonos is that they are straight-seamed garments, made out of a single piece of cloth and simply constructed. Throughout history, the Japanese kimono has changed according to the socio-political situation and developing technology. Expressions of social status, personal identity, and social sensitivity are expressed through the color, pattern, material, and decoration of a Japanese kimono.