White Silk Kimono | Wafuku (2024)

Children's kimonos are always worn with big tucks llosely sewn on the outside of the dhoulders, narrowing the garments. The length is adjusted by making a fold-over of the kimno at the waist, held in place with a soft tie, then the obi worn on top

Kimono require a sash to hold them closed. This is always bought separately. For casual wear they tend to use soft heko obi.

Japanese children traditionally wear them with big tucks loosely stitched into the outside of the shoulders and round the waist.

Kimono Fronts:Kimonos are worn with left front on top of right, by both males and females. The Japanese use the phrase phrase, ‘left over rice’, to remember this. They are only worn the other way round by corpses

Sizing: Japanese clothing is usually of adjustable fit, being mostly wrap-over or tie-to-fit items, so most garments fit a range of sizes.

Storage: Hang up your garment for a few hours prior to wearing, to remove fold creases. They should also be hung out to air 4 times per year, if not worn frequently. Hang your garment to air for a day or so immediately after purchase too, as it will have been stored for a while. The Japanese take great pains to store their traditional garments with the utmost care, which is why they stay in such exceptional condition. Some of my Japanese garments have white stitching (shitsuke) round the outside edges. The Japanese put these stitches in to keep the edges flat during long periods of storage, these stitches just get pulled out before wearing the garment.

Cedarwood or lavender essential oil keeps moths away, but don't get it on the fabric, apply near it, on the box, wrapper, drawer etc. or on a tissue nearby.

Cleaning: Be very cautious about washing kimonos. All cleaning is done entirely at your own risk, as is standard with all vintage garments and items. I would advise only dry cleaning for silk ones and for most synthetic ones, cotton ones may be dry cleanable too but select your dry cleaner carefully and take their advice before deciding if you want to try dry cleaning it. Some synthetic textile or cotton kimonos can be gently hand washed but the dyes can run even in some of those, so consider that before washing but, if you decide to wash, only cool hand wash very gently, do not rub, just gently squeeze the water through it a few times, do not wring, Use a detergent made for colours, not one for whites, as they contain bleaching agents. Do not machine wash, it can rip off the sleeves, but if you hand wash you can briefly machine spin it to remove excess water before hanging it to dry but do it on its own, separately from other items. All forms of cleaning are done at own risk. In Japan many kimonos, especially silk ones and any ceremonial ones, are cleaned by specialists in kimono cleaning, often by a special method called araihari, where they take it completely apart, clean the pieces, then sew it back together again.

Uses: Kimono and haori can, of course, be worn but also make wonderful display items. If short of space for displaying one, consider a child’s kimono or a haori which are just as striking and beautiful as an adult kimono but require less space.

Colour: Please be aware that different monitors display colour slightly differently. Therefore the colour in the photos and description is a guide only.

Additional Information

One must bear in mind that most are vintage items, which I strive to describe accurately and honestly. Most are in excellent vintage condition and therefore look virtually new but all are vintage, even the unused garments, which are or deadstock. A very, very few smell of mothballs or a touch of vintage mustiness but that is rare. This can be aired out and can sometimes be speeded up by tumble drying the dry garment at cool, but it should be put in a pillowcase in the dryer and is done only at your own risk. I have also had success at removing it by turning garments inside out and spraying very lightly with Oust, then letting them hang for a couple of days, but you do this at your own risk, as I can’t guarantee it won’t damage some fabrics. I found Oust to be much better at it than Febreze, even though Febreze is intended for some fabrics and Oust is an air freshener. Some synthetic textile and cotton kimonos can be hand washed but do this entirely at your own risk and only use a detergent for colours, as all other detergents contain bleaching agents to brighten whites. I usually mention any mothball or musty smell, if one does have it, but one must bear it in mind it is a possibility, even if not stated in the description, whenever buying vintage and antique textiles.

White Silk Kimono | Wafuku (2024)

FAQs

What does the white kimono mean? ›

In Shinto, white is a color of ritual purity, traditionally reserved for priests and the dead. This kimono can either be a katabira (a plain, white, unlined kimono) or a kyokatabira (a white katabira inscribed with Buddhist sutras).

How much does a silk kimono cost in Japan? ›

A wool kimono costs up to 40,000 yen, a silk one around 60,000 yen, and a formal kimono can be as much as 140,000 yen in Japan. However, the cost of a kimono in Japan can vary widely depending on several factors, including: material.

Is silk robe worth it? ›

Silk robes are the queens of the pajama world and are usually expensive, but are they worth the price? The answer is yes! In fact, silk nightgowns are one of the most comfortable and luxurious sleepwear out there.

Can you wash a vintage silk kimono? ›

99% of the time it is recommended to professionally dry clean vintage silk kimonos. This is because so much depends on the age of the fabric, and even on the age and type of thread used; furthermore, it matters as well as to whether it has been dry-cleaned before -- so, we recommend dry cleaning.

Does the color of a kimono mean anything? ›

- The kimono colors have distinctive meanings in Japan. Blue: the ocean and sky; red: wards off evil spirits; pink: spring and youth; purple: noble; yellow: harvest season. Bright colors used for spring, dark colors used for winter and paster colors are used for summer.

What does wearing a kimono symbolize? ›

Kimono symbolism

Believed to live for a thousand years and to inhabit the land of the immortals, it is a symbol of longevity and good fortune.

How can you tell if a kimono is silk? ›

Hand touch

Simply touch your silk and get a good feel for the smoothness of it. Real silk is completely smooth to the touch, with a soft and almost waxy feeling. Further to that, if you scrunch it up a bit in your hand, you should hear a crunching noise – that sound should tell you that it's the real deal.

Can foreigners wear kimono in Japan? ›

Can tourists wear kimonos in Japan? Yes, tourists can hire and wear kimonos in Japan. Locals don't mind when foreigners wear one (some are even amused when they see tourists donning them!).

What do you wear under a kimono? ›

For women, there are dedicated kimono underwear known as the nagajuban, which can also come in extended robe-like versions. But there's no need to buy something especially: the simplest thing to do is to wear a light-colored V-necked T-shirt and light shorts.

How do you wash a 100% silk robe? ›

How to Wash Silk in a Washing Machine: Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Check the fabric care label. ...
  2. Sort the laundry. ...
  3. Place silk items in a mesh bag. ...
  4. Load the machine. ...
  5. Add silk wash or delicate detergent. ...
  6. Start a delicate cycle. ...
  7. Use a towel to soak up water after the wash. ...
  8. Hang garment or lay flat to dry.

Why are silk robes so expensive? ›

Firstly, the production of silk is a highly labor-intensive process. Silk is made from the cocoons of the silk moth, which are carefully harvested by hand. The cocoons are then boiled to kill the pupae inside and loosen the fibers, which are then spun into silk threads.

Can you wear a silk robe out? ›

The easiest way to wear your satin or silk robe out is to use it as a coat!

How to unwrinkle a kimono? ›

Use a Steamer: Steam is a gentle and effective way to remove wrinkles from silk without damaging the fabric. Hang the kimono or yukata on a hanger and use a handheld steamer to gently steam the fabric, being careful not to get too close to the fabric. Allow the garment to cool and dry completely before wearing.

How do you whiten vintage silk? ›

There's no need to purchase a specific stain fighter for silk. Instead, make a homemade solution by mixing 2 cups of lukewarm water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.

Can you wash fake silk? ›

The first is to never use harsh chemicals or cleaning products on your faux silk, as these can cause staining or damage to the fabric. Instead, it is best to stick with mild or specialized silk detergents, which are easy on faux silk fibers and help preserve their natural sheen.

What is the story of the woman in the white kimono? ›

Japan, 1957. Seventeen-year-old Naoko Nakamura's prearranged marriage secures her family's status in their traditional Japanese community. However, Naoko has fallen for an American sailor and to marry him would bring great shame upon her entire family.

What does it mean to wear white in Japan? ›

In Japan, there are only four colors to be considered primary, pure, and genuine. White is a color of purity and represents truth, humility, and mourning. Black is associated with formality as well as mourning.

Is The Woman in the White Kimono Based on a true story? ›

Inspired by true stories, The Woman in the White Kimono illuminates a searing portrait of one woman torn between her culture and her heart, and another woman on a journey to discover the true meaning of home.

What does the white torii mean? ›

White is considered as the original color of torii gates which were more common than red until the arrival of Buddhism in Japan. White gives a sacred, pure impression to people and believes to ward off evil spirits.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6217

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.