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The '''kimono''' is the traditional [[clothing]] of the [[Japanese]] people. The kimono is an elaborate garment made of layers of long flowing robes, in a wrap-around style, belted at the waist, and traditionally made of [[silk]]. These days silk kimono are no longer commonly worn as everyday clothing, and are largely reserved for ceremonial occasions. Cotton kimono are called ''yukata'' (浴衣) and are commonly worn on hot summer days.<ref> http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/fashion/kimono_history.html</ref><ref> http://www.theblackmoon.com/Kimono/kimono1.html</ref>

The '''kimono''' is the traditional [[clothing]] of the [[Japanese]] people. The kimono is an elaborate garment made of layers of long flowing robes, in a wrap-around style, belted at the waist, and traditionally made of [[silk]]. These days silk kimono are no longer commonly worn as everyday clothing, and are largely reserved for ceremonial occasions. Cotton kimono are called ''yukata'' (浴衣) and are commonly worn on hot summer days.<ref>http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/fashion/kimono_history.html</ref><ref>http://www.theblackmoon.com/Kimono/kimono1.html</ref>

The Japanese word kimono (pronounced kee-mo-no) translates as "clothing" or "things to wear". <ref> http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/kimono.shtml </ref>

The Japanese word kimono (pronounced kee-mo-no) translates as "clothing" or "things to wear".<ref>http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/kimono.shtml</ref>

There are specific names for the various types of kimono, and each has a traditional style and color depending on the occasion for which it is worn and the age and marital status of the person wearing it. <ref> http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2101.html </ref>

There are specific names for the various types of kimono, and each has a traditional style and color depending on the occasion for which it is worn and the age and marital status of the person wearing it.<ref>http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2101.html</ref>

==History==

==History==

Traditional clothing of the Edo period, (1600-1868), included the kimono and obi as we know them today. The obi did not, however, become a prominent part of a woman’s ensemble until the mid Edo period. It was then that designers, weavers and dyers all focused their talent on creating a longer, wider and more elaborate obi. Obi measurement was then standardised to 360 cm long by 30 cm wide.

Traditional clothing of the Edo period, (1600-1868), included the kimono and obi as we know them today. The obi did not, however, become a prominent part of a woman’s ensemble until the mid Edo period. It was then that designers, weavers and dyers all focused their talent on creating a longer, wider and more elaborate obi. Obi measurement was then standardised to 360&nbsp;cm long by 30&nbsp;cm wide.

Edo fashion was influenced by the design and style that courtesans and entertainers wear. Women of the [[samurai]] class continued to wear the simpler kosode kimono, tied together with an obi made of braided cords. Outside the samurai class, women experimented with a more elaborate kimono - the furisode, which is often seen on the [[Kabuki]] stage. Characterised by long, flowing sleeves, the furisode kimono was accented by a large, loosely tied obi.

Edo fashion was influenced by the design and style that courtesans and entertainers wear. Women of the [[samurai]] class continued to wear the simpler kosode kimono, tied together with an obi made of braided cords. Outside the samurai class, women experimented with a more elaborate kimono - the furisode, which is often seen on the [[Kabuki]] stage. Characterised by long, flowing sleeves, the furisode kimono was accented by a large, loosely tied obi.

==Obi==

==Obi==

[[Image:Obi.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Old meets new as a young girl texts a friend, her kimono's elaborate fu<i></i>kuro obi clearly displayed]]

[[Image:Obi.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Old meets new as a young girl texts a friend, her kimono's elaborate fu''''kuro obi clearly displayed]]

The Japanese kimono ''obi'' (帯) is a traditional decorative cloth worn around the middle of a kimono.

The Japanese kimono ''obi'' (帯) is a traditional decorative cloth worn around the middle of a kimono.

===Maru Obi===

===Maru Obi===

The ''maru obi'' is the most formal obi, with both sides fully patterned along its length. The classic maru obi measures 33cm wide. Maru obi with narrower width can be custom made for a petite client.

The ''maru obi'' is the most formal obi, with both sides fully patterned along its length. The classic maru obi measures 33&nbsp;cm wide. Maru obi with narrower width can be custom made for a petite client.

The maru obi is usually made of elaborately patterned brocade or tapestry, which is often richly decorated with gold threads. It was most popular during the Meiji and Taisho eras. However, due to its exorbitant cost and weight (which makes it uncomfortable to wear), the maru obi is rarely worn today, except for traditional Japanese weddings and other very formal occasions.

The maru obi is usually made of elaborately patterned brocade or tapestry, which is often richly decorated with gold threads. It was most popular during the Meiji and Taisho eras. However, due to its exorbitant cost and weight (which makes it uncomfortable to wear), the maru obi is rarely worn today, except for traditional Japanese weddings and other very formal occasions.

===Fu<i></i>kuro Obi===

===Fu''''kuro Obi===

The ''f<i></i>ukuro obi'' is a slightly less formal style than the maru obi and was created in the late 1920s. The fu<i></i>kuro obi is also made with a fine brocade or tapestry, which is patterned along only 60% of its length on one side. The back of the f<i></i>ukuro obi may be lined with a plain silk or brocade, making it less expensive and less bulky to wear than the maru obi. However, as its length and width are the same as for the maru obi, the f<i></i>ukuro obi can hardly be distinguished from maru obi when tied over the kimono and can thus be worn on formal occasions.

The ''f''''ukuro obi'' is a slightly less formal style than the maru obi and was created in the late 1920s. The fu''''kuro obi is also made with a fine brocade or tapestry, which is patterned along only 60% of its length on one side. The back of the f''''ukuro obi may be lined with a plain silk or brocade, making it less expensive and less bulky to wear than the maru obi. However, as its length and width are the same as for the maru obi, the f''''ukuro obi can hardly be distinguished from maru obi when tied over the kimono and can thus be worn on formal occasions.

===Nagoya Obi===

===Nagoya Obi===

The most convenient obi today is the ''nagoya obi'', which was first produced in Nagoya towards the end of the [[Taisho]] era (1912 - 1926). This obi, is both lighter and simpler than the fu<i></i>kuro or maru obi and is characterised by having a section of the obi pre-folded and then stitched in half. The narrow part then wraps around the waist, whilst the wider part forms the bow of the obi tie. When worn, a nagoya obi is tied with a single fold, while a maru or a f<i></i>ukuro obi, being longer, is tied with a double fold. Most nagoya obi are less expensive a maru or f<i></i>ukuro obi, but can still carry striking designs.

The most convenient obi today is the ''nagoya obi'', which was first produced in Nagoya towards the end of the [[Taisho]] era (1912 - 1926). This obi, is both lighter and simpler than the fu''''kuro or maru obi and is characterised by having a section of the obi pre-folded and then stitched in half. The narrow part then wraps around the waist, whilst the wider part forms the bow of the obi tie. When worn, a nagoya obi is tied with a single fold, while a maru or a f''''ukuro obi, being longer, is tied with a double fold. Most nagoya obi are less expensive a maru or f''''ukuro obi, but can still carry striking designs.

===Hanhaba Obi===

===Hanhaba Obi===