Beauty in kimono.

Abstract

The definition of a kimono when directly translated from Japanese, “ki” means wear and “mono” means thing. In simple terms it is a Japanese clothing. We can easily associate the Japanese culture with this traditional costume that is now mainly worn only in formal occasions. Unlike modern clothings that serve the most basic purpose of wearing, the look of the kimono can reveal a woman’s age, marital status, the occasion of the event she is attending, the season she is in, etc. Every part of the kimono such as the design, the color and the way it is worn needs to be carefully taken care of. Today, women tend to describe a kimono’s elegance based on the designs and colors applied like art on the kimono. Beyond this graceful canvas however lies beneath many sensitive considerations and purpose to enhance the portrayal of the wearer. The delicate sense of colors, patterns and shape all date back to its history when a woman chooses the suitable kimono to reflect her spirit and the occasion she is in. Hence, in the past, to study a woman is as good as understanding her kimono. My objective is to bridge a gap between my target audience “modern women” aged 20-40, to remind them the beauty values that are evident in the kimono culture based on three important studies, the shape, color and pattern.