The kimono originated in China as the Hanfu, a silk robe tied with a sash, before evolving into a gender-specific, highly stylized garment. The term kimono means “clothing to wear” in Japanese and was inspired by Chinese attire. The Chinese kimono was once worn by both men and women and featured tassels and jade embellishments. Buttons were not commonly used, and the garment was meant to reach only to the knees of the wearer. Today, the Chinese kimono is a common choice for people all over the world, particularly women.
Although commonly considered a traditional Japanese garment, the kimono actually has its origins in China. Before the Qing Dynasty, the traditional dress was a Hanfu, which consisted of a robe tied with a sash, a skirt, and a length of cloth that reached to the knees. The appearance of the Hanfu is often related to the first emperor of China, Huangdi, also known as the “Yellow Emperor” or his concubine Leizu. The Hanfu was often made of silk, it had a beautiful appearance, and it also signified the position of the individual. The use of Hanfu ended in the 17th century.
The term Kimono is a Japanese term meaning “clothing to wear” and was inspired by the Chinese attire of the time. When tied around the waist, the Chinese kimono fits securely with a belt or sash. These belts or cummerbunds usually feature tassels or other decorative embellishments. The tassels will often be done in red or gold. Jade pieces are also often used as embellishments on a Chinese kimono.
Originally, the Chinese kimono was a gender-neutral garment, meaning it was worn by both men and women. As styles evolved, the garment became more gender specific, with a man wearing pants under his kimono, while a woman would wear a skirt with hers. Kimonos for women began to feature ornately designed stitching and embroidery. The Chinese kimono was meant to flatter the diminutive form of the woman.
The kimono, whether worn by a man or a woman, is a highly stylized garment. In its most original form, the person using it had a different code. For example, the crossover necklace should always be worn diagonally from left to right. It was considered very bad luck for the wearer when the dress code was not strictly adhered to. The kimono itself was meant to reach only to the knees of the person wearing it. This adherence to exacting length standards indicated the high class of the wearer, as only those of the upper class could afford a perfectly fitting garment.
Traditionally, buttons were not commonly used on the kimono. If a button were to be used, it would be hidden within the garment, simply used to secure the garment so it would not come open once the cummerbund or belt was added. The buttons used were small and usually held in place by a small wired silk loop. This closure was made so that it would not pull or pucker the visible part of the garment, since it was meant to look like a perfect and flawless article of clothing.
The Chinese kimono was and still is a highly stylized garment. Once worn only by the Chinese upper class, it is now a common choice for people all over the world. Today, it is more commonly worn by women than men.
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